Legal Reform Unfolding

Caixin Century Weekly

November 3

The decision adopted at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee in October makes clear the goal of promoting the rule of law in China. It pledges to improve China's legal system, enhance the enforcement of the Constitution, promote administration by law and ensure judicial justice. It also underlines the importance of strengthening people's awareness of the rule of law and promoting the building of a society ruled by law.

The decision points out some of the problems that hinder the country's efforts to advance its rule of law. For example, some laws and regulations have failed to reflect the people's will; therefore, it is hard to apply them to real life situations. Implementation and enforcement of the law are currently weak and some illegal behaviors have not yet received due punishment. Some government officials' awareness of the rule of law is inadequate and they have even used their power to suppress the law. All these problems have posed obstacles to the realization of a country ruled by law. They must be cleared before the rule of law is fully realized in China.

With the blueprint for the rule of law having now been drawn up, the government needs to expend tremendous effort in order to turn this blueprint into a reality.

Transformation of China's Air Force

China Newsweek

November 10

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). When the PLAAF was founded on November 11, 1949, its top priority was to help the army in cross-sea battles. At that time, the PLAAF was an offensive force, as exemplified by its equipment which mostly comprised attack aircraft, such as bombers and fighters.

After the merging of the PLAAF with the Air Defense Force in 1957, the aerial branch of China's armed forces was gradually developed into a defensive force. This characteristic was evident both in its combat theory and weaponry.

The defense strategy exerted considerable influence on the development of the PLAAF. On the one hand, its defensive competence was continually strengthened, while on the other, its offensive ability was gradually weakened. While the air forces of Western powers were making remarkable progress during the 1980s and 1990s, the PLAAF lagged far behind. Defensive equipment far exceeded offensive equipment and its combat theory remained oriented toward national air defense.

In order to strengthen itself, the PLAAF started to conduct multiple studies aimed at formulating a new strategic combat theory in the 1980s. In 2004, the strategic requirement of building the PLAAF into an air force that integrates air and space capabilities and possesses both defensive and offensive abilities first made its appearance in China's national military strategy. President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed this requirement, vowing to enable the PLAAF to play a vital role in safeguarding national security.

University vs. Vocational School

The Beijing News

November 18

According to a report by the China Youth Daily, a student from the School of Life Sciences of Peking University (PKU) dropped out three years ago, choosing instead to study at the Beijing Industrial Technician College. Zhou entered PKU in 2008 as one of the top five students who applied for science majors during that year's college entrance examination in Qinghai Province. Of late, he has become widely known for giving up a prestigious university and choosing a barely known vocational school.

According to the report, Zhou quit PKU because he struggled with his major. He was more interested in the major he is now pursuing and has achieved outstanding academic results in his present school.

Some have applauded Zhou's courage in pursuing his interest while others question his choice. They believe that he will come to regret his decision in the future when he is seeking a job. For a long time, the university diploma has been highly valued in the job market, and a technical college qualification is regarded as inferior to those awarded by universities.

However, it should be noted that prestigious universities and vocational schools should be treated as equals because they are both intended to cultivate talented people for society. However, a lot needs to be done to correct the current prejudice against vocational schools.