Global Natural Gas Market

World Affairs

August 16

Relying on its dominant status in the international natural gas market due to its gigantic reserves, Russia generally links gas prices, transportation and pipeline construction in such a way as to realize its political goals. Its influence mainly focuses on the regional market centered on Russia.

The United States typically links its natural gas strategy with the unforeseen circumstances of geopolitics. It can affect the international natural gas market via its powerful national strength to serve the country's political and economic targets.

Other natural gas giants like Qatar and Iran also intend to extend their political influences by controlling natural gas prices and trading. However, their energy advantages cannot convert into as much influence as they hope. Only with strong political power can energy advantages translate into international influence.

Under these complex circumstances, China should adopt both technical tools and political methods to deal with potential fluctuations. Technically, China needs to strengthen its natural gas resource exploration within technological, economic and environmental permissions to enhance the domestic natural gas supply while improving energy efficiency. Politically, it can use its influence to contribute to a more stable international natural gas market.

Ideal System Reform

Oriental Outlook

August 21

As early as in 1992, late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping said that it might take 30 years for China to form a more mature and programmed institutional system, wherein all policies and principles would be even more conventionalized. He believed that three standards can measure whether or not the system is good enough: Economically, China should catch up with developed countries; politically, the country should help the people to govern in a way that is more practical and nuanced than the system in Western countries; and it should feature a more outstanding set of personnel than those countries.

The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee held in November 2013 confirmed that the system should be established by 2020. President Xi Jinping expressed a similar determination when delivering a speech in February. He said that today's pressing historic task for China is to establish a more complete, more stable and more effective institutional system for the country's further development—a path that would lead to better livelihoods, social stability and long-term security for Chinese people.

China's governance system is a comprehensive result of long-term development, progressive reforms and endogenic changes based on historical heritage, cultural traditions and economic and social development. The country's national governance requires further perfection and progress, while Chinese people must have their own exclusive vision to make their dreams come true.

Celebrity Drugs Abuse

Beijing Youth Daily

August 19

Celebrities have occupied more of the social scene and carried influence. The public has a right to hold higher expectations of them. No one is above the law, not even celebrities. Famous people who get caught doing drugs can cause more damage to others and create worse consequences.

Recently, several Chinese celebrities, including kungfu star Jackie Chan's son Jaycee Chan, have been detained due to their drug problem.

The Ministry of Public Security said in June that many celebrities are using drugs, and those caught were just the tip of the iceberg. It appeared poised to conduct a key crackdown on celebrity drug users, with even stricter punishment than usual.

Many people mistakenly think that celebrities hold a higher moral character. Public reputation, however, does not imply morality. Many stars have extraordinary influence over adolescents. Some even become icons that young people love and worship. Considering their significant influence on young people, these stars should set strict demands on themselves and set a good example. Celebrities who have been caught using drugs should apologize to their young fans and stay away from drugs from now on. Instead of hiding from the spotlight, they should take on more responsibility in the anti-drug fight.