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Ambitions affordable for Asia-Pacific

Three years of implementation of the transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific shows the region has some catching up to do. Despite making progress, the region is not on track to reach the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set out in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Kaohsiung mayor an able foil for DPP's evil designs

Editor's Note: Han Kuo-yu, the newly elected mayor of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan, visited the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and the mainland cities of Shenzhen and Xiamen from March 22 to 28. But instead of welcoming Han's move, the Democratic Progressive Party said he has "sacrificed the island's sovereignty" for the exchange of business. Why has the island's ruling party reacted in such a manner? Two experts share their views on the issue with China Daily's Yao Yuxin. Excerpts follow:

Four-day May Day holiday offers best of both the worlds

Editor's Note: The May Day holiday this year would be extended to four days. When Premier Li Keqiang was asked at a news conference during the recent second session of the 13th National People's Congress whether China would resume the May Day golden week holiday, he said relevant departments were studying the issue and would seriously consider the public's opinions before making a decision. What effects will a four-day holiday have on the people and the economy? Two experts share their views on the issue with China Daily's Liu Jianna. Excerpts follow:

Preparations for wildfires can never be overemphasized

The deaths of 27 firefighters and three local residents who were engulfed by a burst of explosive fire on Monday in Southwest China's Sichuan province have touched people's hearts.

Technology still works as disrupter

ON MONDAY, Hangzhou Wahaha, one of the largest beverage producers in China, announced it has founded a company for robotics R&D and the manufacturing of robots with Zong Qinghou, its CEO and chairperson, claiming that robots will replace humans in physical labor and other posts that involve high risks and pose a threat to health. China Daily writer Zhang Zhouxiang comments:

Bouncy castles must be included in recreational safety regulations

TWO CHILDREN WERE killed and 20 others, including 18 children, were injured, among whom one child is seriously injured, after strong winds flipped over and carried away an inflatable bouncer in Yucheng county, Central China's Henan province on Sunday. ThePaper.cn comments:

Japan's break with tradition doesn't really change anything

It remains a name comprising two Chinese characters conveying auspicious meanings. And it sustains the perpetual hope for blessings. Despite the absence of a precise, official English translation, Reiwa, the name the Japanese government has given to the next imperial era beginning May 1, is as traditional as it could be.

Greater efforts required to say goodbye to coal

Editor's note: The government has attached great importance to curbing air pollution since a wide swathe of China was hit by heavy smog for more than 20 days in January 2013. In an interview with Xiakedao, the official WeChat account of People's Daily, Tao Guangyuan, executive director of the Sino-German Renewable Energy Center, comments:

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No middle-income trap for China

There has always been a fixation on Chinese economic growth - and with good reason. China sustained an average annual growth rate of 10 percent from 1980 to 2011, unprecedented for a large economy. Since 2012, however, the annual growth has slowed down with the Government Work Report presented recently by Premier Li Keqiang setting a growth target of 6-6.5 percent for 2019.

US-Russia conflict over Venezuela unlikely

Editor's Note: With Russian troops arriving in Venezuela on March 24, the allegations of foreign interference in Venezuela have intensified between Moscow, which supports Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and Washington, which backs self-proclaimed interim Venezuelan president Juan Guaido. Given the recent political developments, what does the future hold for Venezuela? Two experts share their views on the issue with China Daily's Pan Yixuan. Excerpts follow: