The congestion dilemma – Capital caps new vehicle registrations to stem traffic jams

Cities are built for people, not cars. However, with more people now able to afford cars, major cities like Beijing and Shanghai are becoming nothing but giant parking lots.

Merry Christmas, China

Christmas comes earlier in China from a business perspective than it does in the US. Christmas tunes are playing on radio stations. Every Grade A and Grade B office building in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou is decked out with holiday displays. Christmas music is piped into elevators far and wide.

Inflation challenge – Leaders vow to stabilize prices at annual economic conference

The Central Economic Work Conference was held this past weekend in Beijing, during which the central government outlined next year’s economic policy.

Chinese traditional medicine squeezes patients’ pockets

China’s continuous price inflation has turned Caterpillar fungus, one of the most exotic oriental traditional herb medicines, into new gold in the West.

China’s porcelain patriotism? – Stir over millionaires buying porcelain vase

The recent news of an 18th century Chinese vase being sold for a record $68 million made the covers of a British newspapers.

World’s biggest headcount – Population census to reveal some of China’s secrets

Counting how many people live in the most populous nation on Earth seems like mission impossible, but on November 1, more than 6 million census workers went door-to-door to document the country’s demographic changes.

Curtains fall on Expo – Shanghai world fair drew 72 million visitors

Crowds from across the world have picked up their souvenirs and headed home, giving way to demolition crews. Expo Park’s pavilions will soon be dismantled. And now the debate begins over just how much the Expo benefited and impacted China.

Dogs reflect nation’s rise – New York Times article praises China’s dog owners

The country’s dogs are under the world spotlight again, but this time it’s not because of abuse. An article in the New York Times on October 14 looks at dog ownership in Beijing and calls it a herald of “how quickly this nation is hurtling through its transformation from impoverished peasant to first-world citizen.”

Blueprint for China’s future – Country’s new development plan stirs global attention

The economic and social development agenda of a single country rarely raises broad concern among the international community, but China, whose development is closely related to the rest of the world, is one of the few exceptions.

Is China unhappy? – Gov experiment seeks secrets to happiness

What stole happiness away from Chinese people? A recent report in the US-based National Public Radio (NPR) puts Chinese happiness under the spotlight and is trying to find the answer. The following is an excerpt of their report.