Reform should facilitate WTO in maintaining fair trade

If there is consensus on whether World Trade Organization should be reformed, how the world body should be reformed is at issue. But whatever a particular country pursues with this reform, one principle needs to be maintained: The multilateral trade regime must be protected and the role it plays in facilitating global free trade should never be undermined.

Tsai and her party receive vote of no confidence

Editor's note: Taiwan's pro-independence ruling Democratic Progressive Party suffered a big defeat in the local elections on the island, winning only six of the 22 cities and counties, forcing Tsai Ing-wen to announce her resignation as leader of the party. Two experts shared their views with China Daily's Zhang Zhouxiang:

New channels, creative financing modes can help private enterprises

SINCE THE TOP LEADERSHIP expressed its firm support for the development of private enterprises, especially small-and medium-sized ones at a symposium for entrepreneurs on Nov 1, many supportive policies have been introduced. Gmw.cn comments:

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Concerns follow good economic signs

This time a year ago, the world economy seemed to be getting on a better plane. A number of cyclical indicators suggested the world economy would grow about 4 percent in the latter half of 2017, raising hopes that it would allow a multi-year end to the decade of 4 percent growth. These indicators included the Republic of Korea's exports, the first country to report trade every month, which for the whole year reported the fastest rise it has ever had in exports.

Encourage childbearing for a better future

Editor's note: Some demographers have advocated that more policies be introduced to reverse the low birth rate. Has China indeed reached the stage where fertility needs to be boosted? And how should China deal with the aging population? Three experts share their views on the issues with China Daily's Liu Jianna. Excerpts follow:

Balancing act between economy and environment

Over the weekend, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in North China, known as Jing-Jin-Ji, saw the resurgence of alarming air pollution, with some forecast saying heavy smog could be on the way.

Financial sector opens further

China plans to step up efforts to deepen reforms by granting more access to overseas companies and individuals to make investments in the country's free trade zones, the latest in its efforts to further open up the financial sector for investors.

FTZ to spur regional cooperation in Bay Area

The Guangdong Pilot Free Trade Zone plans to develop into a demonstration area for cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, by encouraging investment and trade among the three regions with targeted policies, officials said.

Schindler to expand its presence in Chinese market

Schindler Group plans to continue expanding its branch network in China as the country's economy is substantially opening up, according to executives of the global manufacturer of elevators and escalators.

AiBank may introduce strategic investors for sustainable growth

AiBank, China's first direct bank operating as an independent legal entity, will introduce strategic investors at a suitable time, according to a top executive.

New policies to help e-commerce units, say insiders

Businesses engaged in cross-border e-commerce said they stand to benefit from a slew of preferential policies unveiled by the State Council on Wednesday to boost the sector's development and further unlock consumption potential.