As the large emerging economies met at this year’s BRICS Summit in Durban, South Africa, they focused on proposals for a BRICS development bank and the future of the global economy in an attempt to counter reduced growth prospects.

What has emerged from the 2013 National People’s Congress was far different in tone from the usual emphasis on the growth imperative, writes Damien Ma.

At this month's BRICS summit in Durban, the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa will set ambitious goals. But, given the obstacles to cooperation – from mutual distrust to disparate interests – that exist among them, they are more likely to achieve their goals individually.

China’s leadership transition comes to an end. Regardless of the proposed changes or reforms of China’s new leadership, the stability of the economy and its growth will likely remain the most important factor for Zhongnanhai.

As vested interests and established powers continue to distort China’s economy, Zhang Monan highlights three areas of Chinese society where reforms would provide equality and opportunity for socio-economic development while allowing growth.

Thanks to the central government’s stabilization policies, Chinese enterprises have accelerated production to make up the inventory rather than slowing down production to digest the inventory. The macroeconomic operation will continue the rising trend and China’s GDP growth in 2013 may be faster than 2012.

The strategic impact of China’s takeover of the management of the Gwadar port should not be overly interpreted, writes Fu Xiaoqiang. The takeover is not an effort by the Chinese military to establish a military presence in a foreign land.

Tensions in US-China relations have not been eased by President Obama’s attempts to revitalize the American economy by establishing a free trade agreement with the European Union. As China has yet to become the United States’ preeminent trade partner, Colin Moreshead urges Beijing to make the first overture to improve trade between the world’s two largest economies.

As FDI is shifting from manufacturing to services in China, the emerging Asia stands to benefit and U.S.-Chinese investment opportunities are moving to a new age.

The US should show flexibility to help to conclude the negotiation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in October this year, otherwise, the TPP talk will risk a prolonged stalemate.