Loan growth in China’s shadow-banking system has surged in recent months, but Andrew Sheng and Xiao Geng warn that without proper financial reforms this unregulated system could put the nation’s sustained growth at risk, threatening economic stability.

Zhang Monan writes that the global economic system is shifting, and China must seize the strategic opportunities with a new line of thought by working hard to avoid any weakening of its development, seizing new opportunities and creating new advantages.

The People's Bank of China has been pursuing capital-account liberalization at an increasing rate since 2009. But Chinese policymakers should recognize the significant risks inherent in relaxing capital controls – risks that imply the need for a more cautious approach.

The debate is over. After six years of weighing the options, China is now firmly committed to implementing a new growth strategy. At least, that’s the verdict I gleaned from the just-completed annual China Development Forum, long China’s most important dialogue with the outside world.

According to Chinese news reports, urbanization could add 400 million more people to the current Chinese urban population in the next decade. Ding Yifan writes that this will objectively promote the further liberalization of China's domestic capital markets, driven by comprehensive reform.

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.

Reflecting on lessons from Sun Tzu's "The Art of War," Tom Watkins urges the US leadership to find a balance between military spending and domestic priorities lest history repeat itself.

With the end of the National People’s Congress, Dan Steinbock writes that China should expect economic and financial reforms, international recalibration, and gradual political transition. Xi jinping and Li Keqiang must also balance regional interests to fulfill the “Chinese Dream.”

China’s leadership transition is formally complete with the conclusion of the 12th National People’s Congress. Providing analysis on China’s new leaders, Minxin Pei writes that while economic and political reforms remain far-off in China’s future, the new leadership can convince the public they are committed to reforms at the inaugural meeting of the new Central Committee in the fall.