Japan-ROK feud flare-up imperils regional progress

In a move that the Republic of Korea says risks pushing bilateral ties to a "dead-end street", Japan announced last week that it would tighten curbs on exports to the ROK of three materials vital to the tech industry. Seoul said the measures would leave it with no other choice but to take "countermeasures".

CPI increase fueled by fruit, pork price rises

Editor's note: The consumer price index increased 2.7 percent year-on-year last month, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Wednesday. China Daily writer Li Yang comments:

Trade deal possible if expectations realistic

Little has been revealed about what each party actually said during their latest conversation. But Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He's phone call with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday has made headlines anyway.

Taiwan wasting money to be chess piece of US

THE UNITED STATES announced on Monday it would sell military equipment worth $2.22 billion to Taiwan, which has been met with firm opposition from Beijing. Zhong Sheng, a columnist for People's Daily, comments:

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Arms sales to Taiwan a blow to Sino-US ties

By approving the potential sale of arms worth $2.2 billion to Taiwan, the US State Department has not only further strained cross-Straits relations, it is also trying Beijing's patience. And by passing a series of acts and resolutions related to Taiwan this year, the US Congress has dealt a serious blow to Sino-US relations, as well as undermined peace and stability across the Straits.

China has to better protect heritage sites now

Editor's Note: The Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City (3300 to 2300 BC) in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as a cultural site at the just concluded UNESCO World Heritage Committee session in Baku, Azerbaijan. Why is Liangzhu's heritage status so significant? Two experts share their views with China Daily's Yao Yuxin. Excerpts follow:

Reassure HK, remind Britain SAR no longer a British 'colony'

The ongoing distress of Britain over the loss of Hong Kong as a "colony" can be attributed to some British politicians not sufficiently examining their own history and trying to incite Hong Kong residents against Beijing. So much is borne out of the evidence.

Stability essential for Hong Kong's well-being

To bring an end to the protests sparked by the proposed amendments to the special administrative region's extradition law, Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced on Tuesday her administration's decision not to restart the suspended legislative process for the amendments, saying the "bill is dead".

US arms sales to Taiwan only worsen cross-Straits relations

Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen and other secessionists on the island may feel exhilarated about the US State Department on Monday approving the potential sale to Taiwan of $2.2 billion in arms, considering the move to be a sign that they will be able to count on the United States for help should there be a military confrontation with the Chinese mainland.

Benefits of sharing economy must not be exaggerated

Editor's note: The cost of using a sharing bicycle for the first 30 minutes has increased from about 1 yuan ($0.15) to 1.5 yuan from this month in most cities in China. China Daily reporter Li Yang comments:

'Beijing Bikini' not an attractive sight

ONE CITY AFTER ANOTHER has introduced local bans on the so-called Beijing Bikini, which refers to men who roll up their T-shirts to expose their bellies in the street in summer. China Daily writer Zhang Zhouxiang comments: