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Top News

Party meet to set tone on Taiwan
The upcoming 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will chart the direction of Beijing's future policy toward Taiwan, a senior mainland official said yesterday.

60 killed as bridge collapses

Have strong money, will travel

Edible oil auction to help ease holiday price hikes

When words get to be a mouthful, Bush goes phonetic

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Top News

Nation a top business reformer: IFC
China is among the top 10 performers in regulatory reforms in business environment this year, as it was last year, the International Finance Corp (IFC) of the World Bank Group said yesterday.

FM details approach to peace in Africa

Six-Party Talks resume today amid cautious optimism

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Nation

Diplomats agree food quality a global issue
ZHONGSHAN, Guangdong: Foreign diplomats agreed yesterday that food safety and product quality is a common concern for all countries and called for better international cooperation, especially information exchange and setting standards.

Capital Airport honored for services

New five-year plan to help combat pollution unveiled

Govt tackling Three Gorges' hidden environmental threats

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Nation

Six more jailed in Shanghai fund scandal
SHANGHAI: Another six high-ranking officials involved in the Shanghai social security fund scandal received punishment on Tuesday.

Shenzhen plans to raise water charges

China among top scientific powerhouses

Decision soon on metro fares in Beijing

Virtual police force to get boost

Across China: Beijing

Across China: Shenzhen

Across China: Hunan

Across China: Chongqing

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Nation

Special days mooted for migrants
The government of Chongqing municipality plans to make the first Sundays in November each year a special day for its 4 million farmers-turned-laborers - a further step in the country to create a better living and working environment for this group of people.

Guangzhou-Zhuhai rail back on track

City sets up 1st nature reserve

'Big brother' of Shenzhen stock market arrested

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China Scene

Letter from Yangguan: a lone artist with a big heart
History buffs may not be entirely amazed at the vast remakes in and around the 100,000-sq-m Yangguan Museum, but few can imagine Yangguan without it.

China Scene: East

China Scene: West

China Scene: Central

China Scene: North

China Scene: South

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International

Fukuda starts job with high approval rating
Japan's new Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda officially took office yesterday, pledging to regain desperately needed public faith in the government and keep a contentious anti-terror naval mission alive.

Anti-terror pact against Kurds agreed on

Three killed in Yangon demonstrations

Clashes kill 165 Taliban fighters

Sarkozy's first budget targets growth

Around the world: Middle East

Around the world: European Union

Around the world: United States

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International

Iran to ignore further UN resolutions
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told world leaders his country will defy any further UN Security Council resolutions imposed by "arrogant powers" seeking to curb its nuclear program, accusing them of lying and imposing illegal sanctions against Tehran.

Lawyers hold rare demonstrations

Bhutto's party to contest presidency if Musharraf disqualified

Peaceful election environment promised

Parliament sworn in amid party bittering

Thai coup chief tipped to take cabinet post

Across Asia: JORDAN

Across Asia: NEPAL

Across Asia: AFGHANISTAN

Across Asia: IRAQ

Across Asia: INDIA

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International

Polygamist leader convicted over rape
Jurors rejected a defense attorney's argument that the prosecution of a polygamous sect leader was religious persecution, convicting him as an accomplice to rape for forcing a 14-year-old follower to marry her 19-year-old cousin.

NASA ready to launch Dawn probe to asteroid belt

Parents worry about Web but don't stop kids' use

News makers

World Scene: Malaysia

World Scene: United States

World Scene: European Union

World Scene: United Kingdom

World Scene: Vietnam

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Comment

More transparency will benefit the PLA
The government recently announced that it will release information about the country's military budget each year, including how the funds are used. It will also release information about seven conventional weapons. The move reflects China's sincere desire to make its military more transparent and also indicates that the effort to do so is picking up speed.

Cartoon

Level the playing field

No shortcuts to smooth traffic flows

Saving Yuanmingyuan

VIP medical malfeasance

Raise water prices

Help the public invest

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Opinion

America should focus on global public goods
America is currently transfixed with the problem it has created for itself in Iraq, but the presidential candidates are also beginning to ask what principles should guide the United States' foreign policy after Iraq. In my view, a focus on global public goods - things everyone can consume without diminishing their availability to others - could help America reconcile its preponderant power with others' interests.

Letters and Blogs

From our archives

The corrupting influence of money in sport

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Insight

I want to know common Chinese people better
So far is Chile from China that most of the Chinese identify it with its geographical features: very long and narrow strip facing an ocean. But Chile's geographical distance has not stopped it from being the first South American country in many aspects vis--vis its ties with China.

He is a hit with the poor at home for hitting out at the West

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Business

China's IPR action to be probed
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has established an expert panel at the request of the United States to probe whether China has taken sufficient action to protect intellectual property rights (IPR).

Boost to CBM research

Nod to futures tie-up

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Business China

'Record' order for Shenhua
China Shenhua Energy Co, the nation's largest coal producer, attracted at least 2.6 trillion yuan of orders for its Shanghai share sale, a record, said sources.

Shenzhen firms propose joint bond

China works to build new countryside

Cities growing in both scale and influence

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Business Indepth

Day traders hungry for Shanghai gold futures
The approval of gold futures' debut on Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) is catching the attention of not only institutional investors but retail investors looking for an attractive alternative to shares and stocks.

Toshiba draws up ambitious plan in China market

Mortgage approvals rise 11% in August

Biz Scene: Market

Biz Scene: Local

Biz Scene: Grapevine

Biz Scene: Biz Unusual

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Life

A misunderstood passion
Ang Lee's latest opus, Lust, Caution, which has just won the director a second Golden Lion, has been the talk of the town because of its 30-minute-long erotic scenes, including full-frontals of the two main characters. Yet the stories of the two women behind the scene, a young female spy who died of a failed assassination in 1930's Shanghai and the author of the original story whose own love story resonates in the film - are equally ravishing.

Raising voices in tribute to a fallen star

A spotlight on trafficking

Who's in

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Life People

Nice guys finish first
Most heroes are unspoken. But a national campaign launched this July sought to identify those who are moral models for the rest of the country and announce their names loudly and proudly for the world to hear.

The unhappy childhood of our king of the ring

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Life Pulse

The need for speed
SHANGHAI: While some teenagers might be talking about their favorite types of bicycles, Zhang Zhendong, 15, is driving his go-kart around a training track at full speed.

Bacon, eggs, beer and a touchdown

Reviews

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Sports China

Liu faces Cuban archrival in Shanghai
Newly crowned 100m hurdles world champion Liu Xiang will face a stiff challenge from Caribbean flash Dayron Robles at Friday's Shanghai Golden Grand Prix.

China's Mu breaks top mark in Chiang Mai worlds

Olympic basketball hopes in jeopardy: Yao

Score board

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Sports

World Cup brings out authentic play
TIANJIN, China: Germany is ruthless and efficient, Brazil is flamboyant and Australia battling.

Stars forced to balance double life to kick their goal

Benitez: No guarantees for Torres

Chelsea struggling under Mourinho: Grant

Top shot

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Sports

Defending champions storm to final
TIANJIN: Defending champions Germany crushed arch-rivals Norway 3-0 to storm into its second successive women's World Cup final yesterday.

Yankees fail to clinch playoff spot

Wenger optimistic as Arsenal youngsters hit form

The Oaks fall on top of the Wolves, Japanese dash Canadian hopes

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