TOP DECISION-MAKERS CONCLUDED THEIR three-day economic work conference on Thursday in Beijing. The conference, which is held every December, is meant to map out the government's development strategy for the coming year. The just-concluded one is more important than usual because it will also shed light on the nation's 13th Five-Year Plan to begin in 2016.

The communiqu?? from this year's conference reflects a sound knowledge of macroeconomics and the complexity facing China's everyday business. It is candid about all the existing problems, and coolheaded about all the things that need to be done.

It does not brag about the efforts made in 2014 to redress the country's many economic problems while maintaining the growth momentum as planned.