The US is far behind other countries like China when it comes to the race for critical minerals lying beneath international waters. By joining the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, Washington can shape the rules for seabed mineral exploration.
China finds itself in need of its latest landmark reform as the urban-rural divide keeps growing and the broader economy is seeking new sources of growth. One possible solution is finding better uses for rural land and giving farmers the same legal rights as urban residents to rent, transfer or mortgage their land.