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Editor's Note

It would be hard to imagine another place in the world where all the factors for a positive change in the well-being of a people line up like they do in today's China and in its increasingly modern capital Beijing.

The many fruits of the decisions taken in the late 1970s to modernize China are now obvious. The gains came despite China's diverse makeup, its huge population, the poor state of its initial economic base.

But for all this success, everyone knows that much more must be done. The questions arise: What next? And how can this massive country's economic success be sustained?

Adapting to new global realities, where "nothing is quite the same as it used to be," will be a challenge, but the central and Beijing governments seem to agree that innovation and creativity are at least part of the answer. Creativity, whether in the arts, at a governmental planning meeting or in a corporate boardroom and the ability to adapt and change, perhaps rapidly, seems to be becoming a prime business requisite for businesses, whether state or private, in developed or under-developed countries.

Business Beijing Editor Mercy Sun considers some of these issues and Beijing's practical responses in her article on Beijing's creative industries beginning on page 10. Plans are being made.

It is a truism in history that the more change there is in a given country-positive or otherwise-the more likely there is to be at least some social upheaval. Disparities arise.

Our veteran contributor Li Xin looks into the complexities of soaring housing prices in Beijing on page 16, while staff writer Chen Nan considers the central government's new emphasis on more even-handed development in the country's Northeast, West and Central regions.

Ever wonder what a post-Olympics Beijing will be like? Contributor Daragh Moller did. See one aspect of his investigation on page 25.

The changes taking place in Beijing and nationwide are real, effective, broadly beneficial and they will be long-lasting. The whole world has been invited to participate in this transformation we call "New Beijing, Great Olympics."

What are you waiting for?