A “two-child policy” like the “one-child policy” of population controls remains a powerful symbol of China’s efforts to control its people. As China has found with its stock exchanges, human behavior – like market forces – cannot be fully controlled or predicted, even by the most powerful bureaucrats of Beijing.

Breaking the cycle of tension in the Taiwan Strait requires bold initiatives that mean abandoning deeply held desires in China, Taiwan, and the United States. Chinese leaders should perhaps at least think about the previously unthinkable: accepting an independent Taiwan—under very strict conditions.

Since the announcement of the new policy, Chinese feminists have been concerned that women aren’t really given full freedom to choose whether to have a second child – or any child at all – due to cultural and public policy reasons.

Chinese students face a sizable struggle adapting to the American learning environment and culture. As a way to attack these tough issues, Michigan State University's leadership has stepped up, seeking ways to build bridges that help connect its students and state with the broad world beyond its borders.

China’s goal of achieving “Xiao Kang” — or “moderately prosperous society” by 2020 aims to make sure that the remaining families still in poverty also step into the well-off society together with the rest of the nation. The author argues that outside world tends to look at China as if it is another traditional power and thus loses sight of what is really going on inside China. With poverty alleviation a continuing top priority, the uppermost imperative is for China to have a stable external environment so that it can attend to its own monumental challenges.

Economic development and consumer demand threaten a growing number of wildlife species. With China typically cited as the No. 1 consumer of ivory and other wildlife products, the government's actions and a consumer culture change will be critical to conserving the world's wildlife.

The debate about unauthorized immigrants and legal immigrants has until now mostly focused on their impact on US employment and economic growth. However, after the Paris terrorist attack, the issue has evolved into a national-security issue, stirring arguments about America’s core values as a presidential election looms.

'Development' is often spoken of as an end-in-itself, part of an inevitable march toward progress and modernity. What happens if we pause to take stock of the recent history of this development mantra--and examine who it benefits, who it excludes, and the price China and the United States pay for 'progress'?

Since the 1990’s, Sam Pa subsequently amassed a huge fortune by helping shady African autocrats sell their petroleum and minerals to China. Sam Pa was most of all a source of “rents” for several dozen corrupt politicians and officials in the resource-rich areas of Africa. However, Sam Pa’s arrest last month has put an end to his corruption.

If the ‘92 Consensus is respected, which is already the bottom line for a healthy cross-strait relationship, interactions could advance in ways benefiting both sides, which will continue to enjoy the bonus of the peace and economic cooperation. Efforts to put distance between Taipei and Beijing, whether made by domestic or outside parties, can only damage both sides of the relationship.