Demolishing dams will help build an ecological civilization

TO PROTECT THE HABITATS OF GIANT SALAMANDERS, a rare species in China, Zhangjiajie city, Hunan province, has closed down 34 hydropower stations located in a national natural reserve that was founded for the protection of giant salamanders, and 10 dams belonging to these hydropower stations have been demolished on the Lishui River, a major tributary of the Yangtze River in the province by December 2018. Beijing News comments:

796 back home, 17 million overseas

ACCORDING TO AN AGREEMENT SIGNED BY CHINA AND ITALY on Saturday, a total of 796 Chinese cultural relics that were taken overseas, which cover a wide spectrum of Chinese history ranging from 5,000 years ago to the early decades of the last century, will be returned to China. China Daily writer Zhang Zhouxiang comments:

People fighting for a better future driver of growth

Editor's note: Despite facing headwinds in recent years, China's economy has been booming, with innovation-driven transition and upgrading realized in various fields and sectors, prompting some to wonder what is the secret of China's economic resilience. In his personal WeChat account, Qin Shuo, a former media practitioner, comments:

Cartoon

New law will lift opening-up to a new level

The new Foreign Investment Law, which will go into effect on Jan 1, 2020, has drawn international attention, as it will have a big impact on the Chinese economy and therefore the global economy. The law shows China's resolution to accord higher priority and greater protection to foreign investment, in order to create a better investment environment for both foreign and domestic enterprises.

Realty tax needs time to be realized

The Government Work Report Premier Li Keqiang delivered to the national legislature on March 5 said the local tax systems would be improved and legislation on real estate tax prudently advanced. Real estate tax legislation concerns people across society.

China-Italy deal a milestone in cooperation

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy in 1970, bilateral relations have developed rapidly bearing fruitful results in various fields. Italy is one of the largest economies in the European Union and an important partner of China in Europe, and the two countries have deepened pragmatic cooperation since establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2004.

'Rules, institutions' emphasized

China will give greater emphasis to opening-up based on rules and institutions, in a bid to pursue high-quality growth and assure an international competitive edge to its business environment, said Vice-Minister of Commerce Qian Keming.

Market access thresholds to be lowered or dumped

"Version 2.0" of China's plan to open the financial sector to foreign investors was reinforced during the weekend when a senior regulator said market access thresholds for banks and insurance companies would be lowered or abolished.

Execs praise nation's openness

With China dedicated to greater opening-up for win-win cooperation, top executives of foreign companies have praised the nation for further expanding access to its enormous domestic market, and expressed optimism toward closer partnerships in the country.

Data security prepares world for 5G revolution

As the global telecommunications community scrambles to commercialize fifth-generation wireless technology, more efforts are needed to ensure that data is safely stored, analyzed and used to prepare for a 5G-enabled world, tech tycoons said at the ongoing China Development Forum in Beijing.

Finance standards to be unified

Central bank governor says move will improve domestic, foreign capital markets