For those familiar with the "big picture", the 2011 session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) that opens today may be more about macroeconomics than about anything else, because the road map for the 12th Five-Year Plan will assume center stage over the next 12 days.
On Saturday morning in the Great Hall of the People, Premier Wen Jiabao will present an extensive plan for China's social and economic development in the coming five years.
More than a year after the latest phase of China's ongoing medical reforms started, the nation's top health official conceded many uncertainties remain about how best to improve public hospitals.
China's public diplomacy has not surpassed that of the United States as claimed by a US senator, said Zhao Qizheng, spokesman for the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
As China opens the annual sessions of its top political advisory body and top legislature this week, the whole world is poring over the two Chinese events that also bear global significance.
The imminent annual "two sessions" in China will not only map out the country's major policies in the following five years, but also show China remains dedicated to peaceful development and achieving win-win results in its dealings with other countries.
During the course of Japan's rise to be the world's second-largest economy, the country paid a heavy environmental cost. Industrial waste and motor vehicle emissions threatened the nation. Because of drinking water and air pollution, some local residents suffered from Minamata disease and "itai-itai disease". "Damn GNP!" was a popular remark at that time in Japan.
International food prices began rising again last summer, and experts - from economists to government ministers - are debating the causes and consequences, and whether it will last long.
Germany hopes for G20 deal despite Chinese opposition. China resisting G20 deal on indicators. China blocking G20 agreement on indicators. These are some of the headlines that flashed across the Western media during the weekend.
