Politics
Caixin
The fundamental issue with the Shanghai Free Trade Zone is whether service sector liberalization can actually be effectively tested in such a small area.
Asahi Shimbun
Editorial: China should respect its constitution, release human rights activists.
China News Agency (Taiwan)
The relationship across the Taiwan Strait remains one between two adversaries, said Taiwan's Minister of National Defense Yen Ming.
China Dialogue
Although Tianjin has been feted as a model eco-city, its over-reliance on new technology and local government power blocs puts its sustainability into question.

Society
Los Angeles Times
Poppy seedpods vanish from Chinese wholesale markets after authorities launch a crackdown on the flavorful spice.
Radio Free Asia
Authorities in Shantou, Guangdong province, lined the streets around government buildings with riot police as thousands of protesters surrounded government buildings.
Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy
11 people have been detained amid unrest in Diru, Tibet.
Economic Observer
Hong Kong was once attractive for mainland mothers about to give birth. The automatic citizenship it brought the child ensured better opportunities, but now it’s becoming more trouble than it’s worth for many.

Economy
Financial Times
There are plenty of reasons why Li Ka-shing might be pessimistic about Hong Kong.
The Guardian
Huawei has "never received any instructions" from the Chinese government to spy on customers, says deputy chairman Ken Hu.
Bloomberg
China Mobile, the world’s largest phone company, posted the biggest profit decline since 1999.
Radio Free Asia
A series of talks between Beijing and Pyongyang have failed to jumpstart a plan that would see China supply desperately needed electricity to North Korea due to a disagreement over funding.

Foreign affairs
Global Times*
China denies Japanese reports that it had asked South Korea not to sell FA-50 fighter jets to the Philippines.
New York Times
The US Army’s top officer, General Ray Odierno, has a trip to China on his calendar in the coming weeks after a series of high-level defence exchanges.
Times of India
India has identified three states for Chinese companies to set up industrial parks ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Beijing today.
People's Daily overseas edition*
China's "high speed rail diplomacy" could change China's role Southeast Asia.