India should welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping's “five-point proposal” for Sino-Indian relations, for it recognizes the two countries’ growing economic relationship and global cooperation. This would be a good starting point for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s conversation with Xi at this week’s BRICS summit.

Commenting on the recent reached China-Russia joint statement, Su Xiaohui says that China and Russia are not allying against the US and China is not seeking Russia’s support in its territorial disputes.

Xi Jinping has chosen Moscow as the destination for his first state visit in his new capacity as the Chinese president, a decision that has caught the attention of the international community. Some people see it as a readily understandable decision, while others regard it with unease.

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.”

The fact that Xi Jinping's first foreign visit as China's president will be to Russia is symbolic. Russia is, of course, a neighbor across a 4,355-km-long border. It is also an important source of raw materials and military technology for China.

In his closing address to the 12th NPC, Xi Jinping stated, “The Chinese dream, after all, is the dream of the people.” As Xiong Lei notes, China’s richest resource is its 1.3 billion people and their collective dreams, which are vital for China’s national rejuvenation and to provide a prosperous life for all of its citizens.

The atmospherics surrounding Xi Jinping’s coming trip to Russia – his first visit to a foreign country as China’s new president – recall a Soviet slogan from the late 1950’s: “Russia-China, Friendship Forever.” Fortunately for both sides, the slogan appears more valid now than it was then.

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.

The economic relationship between China and Africa is at an all-time high. But China must balance its desire for African resources with Africa’s employment needs to create a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship.

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.