Financial Times

In the face of China's rapid economic expansion and growing presence on the global stage, it is often forgotten that the country is running out of water. In per capita terms, China's water resources are just a quarter of the world average. Eight of China's 28 provinces are as parched as countries in the Middle East such as Jordan and Syria, according to China Water Risk, a consultancy based in Hong Kong.

The water shortage is made even more urgent by China's rapid urbanization, as expanding cities have greater water needs. More than 300 million people are expected to move into cities between now and 2030.

The economic problems are formidable, with the water shortage threatening to slam a brake on growth. According to a World Bank report in 2007, water problems cost China economic losses of 2.3 percent of GDP.

Fox News

Global economic malaise has knocked the stuffing out of Luo Yan's business making toy animals.

Luo, the owner of Tongle Toy Enterprises in Foshan near Hong Kong, says sales have fallen 30 percent over the past six months.

China's shaky recovery is losing steam, adding to pressure on its new leaders.

Economist Li Daokui says the leadership's goals are to prevent the economy from slowing too much and then launch new reforms.

President Xi Jinping and other leaders have yet to make clear how far they will go in curbing the dominance of State industry and making other changes reform advocates say are required.