Human rights work gets UN stamp of approval

Approving a report submitted by China during the third round of the Universal Periodic Review, the United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday praised China for the progress it has made on human rights over the past five years and the positive role it has played in advancing the human rights cause.

More openness correct choice going forward

The just-concluded second session of the 13th National People's Congress has given reassuring answers to the questions and suspicions about China's commitment to continuous openness and its future intentions. Most notably with the national legislature's overwhelming endorsement, with a 2,929 to 8 vote, of the foreign investment law, which will come into effect on Jan 1, 2020.

Double standard gives no credibility to US claims

In its annual human rights report released on Wednesday, the United States continued to play its self-proclaimed role as the world's human rights champion by pointing an accusing finger at other countries.

Session shows food safety still high among concerns

Food safety is undoubtedly one of the major issues that still fall short of people's ever-growing expectations for a better life. This explains why so many proposals have been put forward at the annual session of the National People's Congress this year, ranging from how to better supervise the mushrooming online food-delivery platforms to calls for perfecting the food tracking system.

EU should not be cowed into toeing US line

The European Commission set out new policy recommendations for its ties with China on Tuesday.

Those protecting consumers must step up to the plate

World Consumer Rights Day, which falls on March 15, has been marked in China each year with a big fanfare that is rarely seen in any other country. It is a day for the public to air their grievances, culminating in an evening television gala show sponsored by the national broadcaster that highlights fake and shoddy goods as well as unfair and fraudulent business practices that consumers have experienced over the past year.

What they say

Editor's note: The following are excerpts from proposals put forward by four members of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the nation's top political advisory body, at its annual session in Beijing on March 3-13.

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Law on personal info protection welcomed

Editor's Note: The national legislature has hastened the pace of drafting a law to protect personal information so that people's privacy and security can be better protected, according to Zhang Yesui, spokesman for the National People's Congress. Why does China need to step up efforts to protect the personal data of people? Two experts share their views on the issue with China Daily's Liu Jianna. Excerpts follow:

A diplomacy that is constructive in nature

In its almost seven-decade-old diplomatic history, the People's Republic of China has witnessed tremendous changes in international relations. In the initial stages, the essential task of China's diplomacy was to fit into the world order as an independent sovereign country, and to safeguard its rights and interests while helping international relations to move toward a more equitable and reasonable direction.

Tax cuts signal beginning of stable, quality GDP growth

In 2018, China's GDP grew 6.6 percent and the size of its economy exceeded 90 trillion yuan ($13.41 trillion). But despite that, the Chinese economy faces downturn pressure because of external and internal factors, especially the drastic changes and rising uncertainties in the world.

Tsai's political road map is dead end for Taiwan

Showing she has closed her mind to the island's reunification with the motherland in any form, Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen has called for her administration to counter Beijing's "one country, two systems" formula for reunification.