Grand plan needs pragmatic action

At the recently concluded Fifth Plenum of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee, the "Four Comprehensives" became the grand blueprint for the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20). Each of the four tasks requires broad measures and pragmatic actions.

Two-child policy won't lead to a baby boom

The communique issued after the Fifth Plenum of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee on Oct 29 said all couples can now have two children. The decision, aimed at balancing population development and solving the aging population problem, is the greatest change in China's family planning policy in three and half decades.

China's cities hold lessons for Africa

When Zhang Min pulled up stakes and left Beijing for Nairobi eight years ago, she was confident she was bidding a final farewell to the heavily polluted skies that had often been her lot in the Chinese capital. What she did not foresee was that the development locomotive that has pulled China toward seemingly boundless economic prosperity over the years - with some of the unwanted baggage - would one day arrive in Africa.

Building a modern capital

In April, the governor of Nairobi County, Evans Kidero, took drastic steps to decongest the Kenyan capital's downtown by partially blocking roundabouts on major feeder roads. The roadblocks, which kept motorists from making right turns, have improved the flow of traffic, which had become nightmarishly clogged.

Safeguarding nature becomes second nature

African countries and Chinese investors are both increasingly aware of how critical sustainable development is as Africa industrializes and urbanizes, industry insiders say.

Dawn of a new era

Beijing and London upgraded their comprehensive strategic partnership to a global one during President Xi Jinping's state visit to the United Kingdom from Oct 19 to Oct 23, the first by a Chinese president in a decade.

$62b in investment pot, with more to come

President Xi Jinping's visit has resulted in about 40 billion pounds ($62 billion; 54.5 billion euros) of deals in the UK, including Chinese investments which are set to take in nuclear power, high-speed rail, oil, electric buses, theme parks and investment in research and development in the new wonder material graphene.

Cover story

Fleet of taxis shows off scenes from China

A fleet of 50 London taxis began showcasing images of China on Oct 18, one day before President Xi Jinping's state visit to the United Kingdom. The images, affixed to the taxis' exteriors, are a blend of iconic Chinese scenes and London's landmarks and streets.

Giant panda star stages 'return' to London zoo

A statue of Ming, a giant panda who became a symbol of hope for children in the British capital during the World War II bombing blitz, has been created and donated to London Zoo by Chinese companies and official groups.

China-UK synergy gets a belated start

China and Britain established full diplomatic relations in 1972 during the 1970-74 government led by Prime Minister Edward Heath. At a banquet to mark the occasion in the Great Hall of the People, the visiting British foreign secretary, Alec Douglas-Home, himself a former prime minister, was serenaded with the Eton Boating Song.

UK welcomes China with open arms

The Sino-UK relationship has been on the rise over the past few years. On financial issues, infrastructure and nuclear energy, in particular, they have many interests in common. And with President Xi Jinping visiting the United Kingdom, their mutual economic cooperation will definitely be strengthened.