Keywords: Obama pushes for gun control in wake of Newton shooting; Western intervention blamed for escalating Mali crisis

Obama pushes for gun control in wake of Newton shooting

US President Barack Obama signed 23 executive actions concerning gun laws at the White House on January 16, urging Congress to pass new regulations in the nation's first push for gun control in decades. 

The actions call for tougher restrictions on the production and sale of guns that carry over 10 bullets, as well as requiring comprehensive background checks for gun applicants.

Gun control issues are once again on the US agenda following a school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut that claimed the lives of 20 children in December, 2012.

Chinese media suggested the gun control cannot be addressed overnight and requires more domestic reform.

The People's Daily commented the US government has made a big step in establishing gun control measures and winning citizens' support. However, the US needs to experience greater change in its laws and social standards in order to make headway.

"It will certainly be impossible for the US to ban guns," according to the Global Times.

"These proposals just reinstate former policies of prohibiting certain forms of firearm trafficking and allowing for background checks under circumstances not currently covered, such as gun shows. But there has already been strong dissent from the gun lobby, and analysts believe the US will have a difficult time controlling guns," the paper explained.

The Legal Daily suggested in an op-ed that Obama's gun control bears significant political meaning.

"If the Obama government could push the federal legislation to strengthen gun control, this would be Obama's first important reform of his second term and will influence the Democratic Party's ability to control domestic issues over the next few years," said the opinion piece.

"In addition, Obama is avoiding direct confrontation with the Republican Party on this issue. His cautious attitude also shows the move's political significance.

It is noticeable that the administrative order is not the law and does not have the force of law, said CRI Online.

"The gun control topic will be discussed in a long time and the law on gun control will not be soon implemented," it added.

@李欣远: Westerners think humans are born evil and guns can protect them - this idea is what makes US gun control difficult. 

@炒豆老姚: The debate over gun control reflects both sides of democracy, where diverse demand makes gun control more difficult.

@口诛天下: The government can only take measures to strengthen security rather than change their citizen's lifestyle in the name of security. I guess the US will start with safeguarding firearms.

@此人真名菠萝: US gun control is only part of the current conversation because it touches upon too many people's interests.

Western intervention blamed for escalating Mali crisis

Conflict in Mali intensified after French air strikes were ordered against the western city of Diabaly on January 15 that resulted in at least five dead and many injured.

Clashes between the Mali government and Islamist rebels have continued to escalate ever since France announced it would send troops on January 11, according to Chinese media, which called for humanitarian aid instead of military intervention to Mali and other warring countries in Africa.

Constant aid is more important to Mali than maintaining stability with troops, commented the People's Daily.

"The international community should help Africa eliminate poverty and create a secure environment for economic development," the paper added.

The purpose of France sending troops to Mali is to safeguard their own interests and consolidate its position in Africa, the PLA Daily suggested.

"However, France should remain vigilant of terrorism attacks after the leader of the 'Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa' threatened attacks against France. This is without a doubt a serious challenge to France's ability to fight terrorism," the paper concluded.

The Xinhua News Agency chalked up the Mali crisis to what it calls the "neo-interventionism" from the West.

"Can military intervention solve Mali's social and regional autonomy issues, and will Mali become France's "Afghanistan" as Islamist rebels claim?" said Xinhua.