New guidance, strategies and ideas

During the July 26 workshop meeting for provincial-and ministerial-level officials held in preparation for the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that socialism with Chinese characteristics has been the theme of the theories and practices of the Communist Party of China since reform and opening-up was launched in 1978, and only by fully understanding this theme can the nation achieve rejuvenation and better serve the people.

How fast can housing investment grow?

Urbanization and upgrading needs will create an estimated demand for 6 billion square meters of housing from 2017 to 2021. This will keep the investment in housing growing at around 5 percent in real terms over the next five years. Investment demand, however, may lead to overbuilding and derail China's rebalancing and industrial upgrading agenda. The Chinese leadership therefore needs to promote reforms by introducing a property tax, which will be an integral part of any long-term solution, preferably implemented in a revenue-neutral manner.

Africa can enjoy leapfrog development

Can Africa leapfrog its way into the future? There is no doubt that technology and innovation are transforming Africa. Across Sub-Saharan Africa, phones now act as banks for millions of Africans who cannot even dream of opening a traditional bank account. With the touch of a button, small farmers can find out how much they should be charging for their crops. People can buy solar energy using a phone, get their hearts examined in rural Cameroon using a medical tablet, or get blood delivered by drones in Rwanda.

Positive changes the defining feature of the past and future

The Chinese Dream, proposed by Xi Jinping when he became general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in late 2012, has been the catchword for the country since then. It will continue to frame the agenda for the nation after the 19th CPC National Congress that begins later this month.

Nothing to gain from uncertainty

US President Donald Trump may have a personal interest in keeping the rest of the world wondering what he is actually up to. But the pervasive sense of uncertainty he has created since Day 1 in the White House is hardly conducive to his presidency or US national interests, never mind global stability.

Well-run rental market best way to deflate real estate bubbles

THE LARGE CITIES such as Beijing and Shanghai have managed to cool their previously overheating real estate markets thanks to rounds of policy interventions since September last year. However, the enthusiasm of prospective homebuyers in some third-and fourth-tier cities seems to have been rekindled. Beijing Youth Daily commented on Monday:

Rumormongers paint false picture

AFTER THE SHOOTING in Las Vegas that left 59 people dead and more than 500 injured, the whole world extended its sympathy to the victims. Yet a video was spread online with misleading intent. Wang Tong, assistant to editor-in-chief of Beijing Literature magazine, comments:

Chinese firms lead the way to cashless society

THE DEVELOPED countries have been left behind by China in the development of a cashless society. It is predicted that mobile payments will soon replace card payments as the most common payment method worldwide, something that has already been realized in some big cities in China. Beijing Youth Daily comments:

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China model suits nation most

The year 2016 might go down in history as a watershed moment for the global economy. Not only did the United Kingdom decide to leave the European Union, but also a globalization skeptic was elected president of the United States. And, in stark contrast to these inwardly looking events, China stepped forward as the champion of globalization and improved global governance.

How will clean development be financed?

Like most other populous emerging markets working on long-term solutions for sustainable development, China has been trying hard to adopt strategies that can achieve multiple objectives. These include shifting to an energy use pattern that relies more on renewable sources of energy rather than fossil fuels, reduces industrial and household pollution, and protects natural resources.

Cultural confidence stems from talks with past

Editor's note: Dr Clemens Treter is the director of the Goethe-Institut China in Beijing. A fluent Chinese speaker and an expert on Chinese literature, he shared his views on the importance of cultural exchanges with China Daily's Zhang Zhouxiang: