Although in 2014, it appears China will be adhering to a “prudent” monetary policy and working to balance its finances, the world’s number two economy will still face considerable challenges, such as rising credit and an appreciating currency.

While China’s refusal of genetically modified corn crops from the United States has gained attention in recent months, Colin A. Carter explains that as China moves from a major corn exporter to importer, it will require more sources of the crop and ultimately approve more biotech corn products.

Lasting 40 days and putting American holidays to shame, travel during this year’s Chinese New Year celebration is expected to top 3.6 billion trips or segments and will be the world’s largest human migration. It is essential to understand and respect this part of Chinese culture in the Year of the Horse.

Over the last two decades, a consensus about China's growth model has emerged, with observers arguing that a shift to an intensive, efficiency-driven growth is essential. But empirical research reveals a critical flaw in this assessment – namely, that annual efficiency gains in China far exceed those of the US.

Is China engaging in a modern day version of dollar diplomacy? As Fernando Menéndez explains, China’s use of political and economic influence mirrors the previous intervention of the United States in Central America and the Caribbean.

The international community has praised China’s recent destruction of confiscated ivory as an important step towards reducing poaching in Africa. Robert Rotberg writes that China’s actions can spur further international cooperation and become a leader in anti-poaching initiatives.

Liu Shijin outlines three policy targets that will be conducive to steady growth in China’s economy, which can then rapidly shift to a more stable rate.

The risk of China’s debt crisis is building up and China needs structural solutions in order to effectively solve the issue, writes Zhang Monan.

Steven Hill follows the Chinese money-trail to the United States and concludes that in 2014 wealthy Chinese investors will be on the hunt, and that weakened advanced economies like in the U.S. and Europe are prime targets.

While much of the world has focused on the US Federal Reserve’s phasing out of quantitative easing, more significant economic news came out of China’s interbank market. As Michael Justin Lee explains, China’s year-end liquidity squeeze has implications for the global economy and deserves more attention.