CLEAN AIR, CLEAR MINDS

When the International Olympic Committee was formed in Paris in 1894, few Chinese had any idea about what the Olympic Games were all about.

Today, Chinese people understand the Olympic motto, "faster, higher, stronger", chosen by Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games.

Host of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, Beijing announced earlier this month a plan to bid for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games jointly with Zhangjiakou, 120 miles to the northwest of the capital.

The biggest challenge for Beijing might not be the increasing number of snow-free days but the notorious air pollution, product of uncontrolled industrialization.

The world's second largest economy reported 7.7 percent GDP growth in 2013, but growth is flagging and, as labor costs rise, poor natural resources no longer support growth at breakneck pace.

Apart from pollution, a gamut of problems--including irrational development, unbalanced economic structure and the gap between rich and poor--lie in wait.

The solutions require wisdom and determination.

The Chinese Communist Party (CPC) Central Committee has dubbed the 2014 "Jiawu" the first year of New Reform, and plan to release the country's entire potential, economically, socially and ecologically.

While combating all the problems may require teamwork, the latest champion may tell a different story.

Tennis star Li Na defeated Dominika Cibulkova at the Australian Open this weekend, claiming her second Grand Slam title.

Generally regarded as something of a rebel, Li did not thank her home country nor the national team she used to be with when she clinched her first Australian Open title. She was quoted as saying that she plays just for her own entertainment and happiness.

The Internet caught fire with debate about whether China should continue to train athletes following the so-called whole-nation system learnt from Soviet Union, or if Li Na, as an individual professional, is a better example.

"Faster, higher, stronger" may help people understand the truth behind sports, but people cannot expect an immediate answer to the argument. What they can expect is reform.