To admirers outside the country, China's political system stands far above the dysfunctional democracies of the West in one regard: its ability to act decisively and deliver results that boost economic growth. Gridlock:僵局,交通堵塞 dysfunctional:机能失调的,功能障…

Last month's Third Plenum meeting of Chinese leaders seemed to signal Beijing's intention to experiment with more economic and financial freedom. Leaders now acknowledge the old model of cheap inputs—inexpensive labor, low-cost capital for state-owne…

Apple's roll-out of its latest iPhones landed with a thud in China, the company's biggest foreign market, despite a new effort to court the country's consumers. underwhelmed:感到乏味的,未留下深刻印象 roll-out:首展,推出 In a signal of China's importance to Apple, the…

Overseas tourists continued to shun Beijing through 2013. shun:避开,避免,回避 Amid rising pollution and a strengthening yuan, the capital city saw its tourist numbers drop to 4.20 million visits from January to November from 5.01 million visits in 2012, ac…

U.S. fans of the hit talent show 'The Voice' may take for granted that its judges sit with their backs to performers, choosing winners purely on the basis of their voices. But in China, where television and much of society is frequently biased toward…

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama took ping-pong diplomacy to a new level on Friday on her weeklong tour of China as the two countries try a new tactic to build trust in a often tense relationship. diplomacy:外交           tactic:策略,战略 More than 40 years…

Much has been said about what the 'China Dream' really means to many Chinese -- whether it is national strength, cultural renewal or more modest personal goals. For many of those living in the vast countryside, the dream is a life in one a city and s…

Chinese author Lao Ma has a simple approach to his short stories: In the face of life, everything is funny. Mr. Lao, the pen name of Renmin University of China professor Ma Junjie, says there are plenty of laughable things in daily life that fuel his…

Blue skies were finally visible in the capital on Thursday after the region suffered fromseven straight days of intense pollution, sending consumers out in droves to buy pollution masks. in droves:陆陆续续,成群结队 Although Thursday’s weather brought a colle…

In a forest on the outskirts of this former Chinese capital, 58-year-old real-estate developer Lu Jun and his 30-year-old son, Lu Xun. are set to unveil their pride and joy: a $164-million development with 11 buildings designed by leading internation…