As China prepares for a once-a-decade transition, there seems to be no shortage of problems its new leadership will face -- from the economic slowdown, rampant corruption, ethnic unrest, a growing rich-poor gap, migration pressures, environmental pollution and ideological disillusionment. The Washington Post asked influential thinkers in China and the United States for their advice to Xi Jinping and others in China's next generation of leaders.... Christopher H. Smith Republican congressman from... Read more

This iconic Jersey Shore resort town resembles a war zone in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy. The storm ripped out segments of its boardwalk, which are now strewn over the sand that covers Ocean Avenue. Much of the borough is underwater. Most avenues to the oceanfront from Main Street are blocked by waist-deep water in which some residents must kayak over to get to their homes. Large trees and lamp posts lie on the ground, and power lines dangle from utility poles. There is no electricity anyw... Read more

Congressman Chris Smith of Robbinsville, N.J., chairman of the House subcommittee on human rights and the U.S. Commission on China, was a guest on Fox News to discuss foreign policy issues with FNC host Shannon Bream. Click here to watch the video. Read more

A piece of steel beam taken from the rubble of the World Trade Center following the terrorist attacks 11 years ago was received at the South Wall Firehouse Tuesday. Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, along with federal, state, county and municipal officials, joined members of the fire department to accept the steel beam, which is destined to be the centerpiece of a memorial at the firehouse, officials said. “The South Wall Fire Company is extremely honored to have this ceremony here today,’’ said Ralph ... Read more

State and local education officials traveled to Washington on Friday to salvage a $4 million federal grant that they lost for falsely reporting the township school district’s graduation rate. The U.S. Department of Education decided not to renew Lakewood’s School Improvement Grant for a second year because the district inflated the number of students not getting a high school diploma in its application which was uncovered by an Asbury Park Press investigation. Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-NJ has... Read more

The following news article is on a U.S. Department of Education grant announced by Cong. Smith, and ran in the The Asbury Park Press Oct. 3, 2012: Improving teacher and principal quality in Lakewood, Asbury Park and two other districts is the focus of a $39 million federal grant awarded to Rutgers University — and officials say the grant will help jump-start school reform measures in those districts. “It will ensure higher quality instruction for all students,” said Laura Winters, interim Lakewo... Read more

Asbury Park Press, Sept. 23, 2012: Amid increasing political jitters over the potential for draconian military budget cuts next year, New Jersey congressmen hosted Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Calif., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, on a tour of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Saturday. "It was an opportunity to enlighten everyone how the country benefits” from the 40,000-acre military reservation that hosts every branch of the military, said Rep. Jon Runyan, who with Rep. Chris... Read more

Burlington County’s mega-base has a powerful new fan: California Congressman Buck McKeon.McKeon, the Republican chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, accompanied New Jersey Reps. Jon Runyan, R-3rd of Mount Laurel, and Chris Smith, R-4th of Robbinsville, on a tour of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst on Saturday morning. Following the tour, the influential leader said he was impressed by the base’s cohesion of different military branches and units on one installation. “Here we have three... Read more

While most people think the crimes of human trafficking and sex slavery take place in impoverished countries, it happens right here in SJ. Troubled teen girls are easily lured to lives they never wanted. Few survive. By Jayne Jacova Feld During the summer between eighth and ninth grades, Holly Austin Smith had some heavy issues weighing down her 14-year-old mind. Growing apart from her middle school friends and scarred by sexual abuse at the hand of a family member, she dreamed of leaving SJ beh... Read more

Innocent Americans imprisoned overseas, as reported in "Jailed American's Drug Case Stokes Tension With Bolivia" (World News, Aug. 1) and "Cuba's American Hostage" (op-ed, Sept. 10), and the woefully inadequate response by the Obama administration, highlight the need for congressional initiative and oversight to address this serious issue. I recently introduced the Justice for Imprisoned Americans Overseas Act or "Jacob's Law," named after Jacob Ostreicher who has been detained for more than 15 ... Read more