The visit by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to China, meant to introduce Washington to the next Chinese leader Xi Jinping — who will visit the U.S. in a few months — went relatively well and shows that both countries want to maintain stable relations at a time when the west is going through an acute financial crisis and China's rise appears to be accelerating.

At a time when the United States and Europe are both beset by economic crises, it is natural that the Western model of economic development, including a democratic political system, should be viewed with some skepticism while China's growth model is greatly enhanced.

When Ma Ying-jeou became president of Taiwan more than three years ago, he predicted a “new era of cross-strait relations.”

Unlike last year, when sparks flew at the ASEAN Regional Forum meeting after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Washington had an interest in the resolution of territorial disputes in the South China Sea ...

The deadly train collision near Wenzhou underlines the incongruous fact that despite China's soaring economy, it practices an ultra-left ideology similar to that of the Great Leap Forward campaign more than 50 years ago, when millions of people died.

As expected, China reacted strongly to the meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama, saying this had “grossly interfered in China's internal affairs, hurt the feelings of Chinese people and damaged Sino-U.S. relations.”

Two years ago, China issued a human rights action plan for 2009 and 2010. Last week, it announced that all targets have been met.

For a change, the media itself is in the spotlight these days.

The Chinese Communist Party, which celebrated its 90th anniversary July 1, has been in power since 1949 and Chinese President Hu Jintao, who is also the party leader, made it clear that the party has no intention of ever giving up the reins of power.

The renowned Chinese artist and dissident Ai Weiwei, held for 80 days without charge, was finally released under conditions that among other things forbid him to talk to the media.