Jan. 1, 2013
Detainees in the country's detention centers should be respected and their legal rights protected under new rules released Monday by China's Ministry of Public Security. According to the rules, detention centers should install cameras and other devices to record detainees, and such records should be preserved for at least 15 days.
Jan. 5, 2013
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the State Council's leading group on health care system reform, addresses the twelfth plenary session of the leading group in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2013. Increased financial support and innovative ways of working are needed to ensure that patients, doctors and hospitals all benefit from the country's medical reform, according to Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang. The country's medical reform is shifting its focus from laying foundations to boosting the quality of services during the 2011-2015 period.
Jan. 7, 2013
Xi Jinping, the leader of China's ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), has called on procuratorial, judicial and public security organs to fight against injustice and corruption to ensure "justice in each judicial case." The organs should respond to public aspirations of social security, judicial justice and protection of rights and interests and make all-out efforts to build a peaceful China which is governed by law.
Jan. 8, 2013
National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) published guide for limiting medicine's ceiling retail price. The price adjustment widely limited the medicine price including 20 species, more than 400 categories and 700 specifications. The adjustment decent 15% on average, reached 20% on high-priced.
Jan. 9, 2013
The State Council decided at an executive meeting presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao to raise the retired enterprise employees' pension by 10 percent from the 2012 level, or about 170 yuan ($27.30) per person per month, on Jan. 1, 2013.
Jan.11, 2013
The Human Rights knowledge series forum was held in Beijing by China Society for Human Rights Studies, China Foundation for Human Rights Development and Hunan University Press. Luo haocai, Vice-chairman of the National Committee of the 10th CPPCC, President of China Society for Human Rights Studies was attending the forum. Li Junru, Former Vice-president of Party School of the Central Committee of CPC, Vice-president of China Society for Human Rights Studies stresses that it is essential to popularize the knowledge of Human Rights for citizens.
Jan. 17, 2013
Up to 90 percent of rural residents' inpatient costs to treat serious diseases will now be covered under an expanded medical insurance program, the program covers 20 serious diseases, including stomach cancer, lung cancer and uremia. Patients can get at least 70 percent of their treatment costs reimbursed under a basic medical insurance program. After that, at least half of the uncovered portion, or 15 percent of the total cost, will be reimbursed under a commercial insurance program.
Jan. 22, 2013
Supreme People’s Court gives judicial interpretation to “criminal cases of refusing to pay labor’s reward”. The interpretation will carry out from 23rd February, 2013, and it further identify the details about refusing criminal cases including term definition, sentencing criterion and unit crime etc.
Jan. 23, 2013
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang, who is also head of the food safety commission under the State Council, presides over the commision's fifth plenary meeting in Beijing, capital of China.
Jan. 28, 2013
China on Monday published a compilation of government white papers issued last year in both Chinese and English versions.The five white papers, published by the Information Office of the State Council, are titled "Situation and Policies of China's Rare Earth Industry," "Diaoyu Dao, an Inherent Territory of China," "Judicial Reform in China," "China's Energy Policy 2012" and "Medical and Health Services in China."
Jan.29, 2013
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has stressed the importance of improving people's well-being and meeting their material and cultural needs. Wen said, "Improving people's livelihood is the center of the country's economic and social advancement, and also the center of government work."
Jan. 31, 2013
The Chinese authorities on Thursday issued its first policy document for 2013, underlining the importance of accelerating modern agricultural industry and rural areas' development.
Feb. 1, 2013
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday visited a community in Beijing and listened to residents' opinions on government work, and commented on his own performance.
Feb. 2, 2013
Xi Jinping (C), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and also chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, visits a major water diversion project in the Weiyuan County of Dingxi City, northwest China's Gansu Province, Feb. 3, 2013. Xi Jinping visited villages, enterprises and urban communities, chatting with impoverished villagers and asking about their livelihood during an inspection tour to Gansu from Feb. 2 to 5. During his visit, Xi also extended Spring Festival greetings to all Chinese people as the Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, approaches. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)
Feb. 3, 2013
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (2nd L) visits the home of resident Zhang Zhilan (2nd R) in Beiliang Community, a shantytown in Baotou, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Feb. 3, 2013. Li visited the city of Baotou and Xing'an League in Inner Mongolia from Feb. 3 to 5, 2013. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
Feb. 4, 2013
Premiere Wen do research in Chinese Ministry of Commerce and do best will to the staff have a nice Chinese Lunar year. Premiere Wen stress stabilizing the good price and supply during Spring festival. He demands the Ministry of Commerce and other related department care about the food related issue.
Feb. 6, 2013
Premier Wen Jiabao chaired a State Council executive meeting,，arrange for improving postgraduate education mechanism.
Feb. 8 2013
Xi Jinping (C), general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, poses for a group photo with sanitation workers in the Shoupakou cleaning station of the sanitation center of the Xicheng District in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 8, 2013. Xi Jinping on Friday visited and extended greetings to laborers including subway construction workers, sanitation workers, police officers and taxi drivers in Beijing, ahead of the Chinese traditional Spring Festival, which starts on Feb. 10 this year.
Feb. 18 2013
General Office of the State Council publishes , it refers the vacation with pay should be ensured by 2020, ensure the employers from mass-run enterprises, self-employed enterprises have the equal right.
Feb. 20 2013
State council meeting policy 'five pieces' to regulate and control housing price. The policy insist on limit purchasing and loan as core way. The policy continue attack the speculation in housing market.
Feb. 21 2013
Patients will be able to pay after they receive medical treatment as part of a new payment plan, the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday. Once the new system is implemented, patients, especially those suffering extreme conditions, will receive treatment first. After the treatment, patients will only pay the part that is not included in the medical insurance. The rest will be paid to hospitals by the government.
Feb. 25 2013
Institute of Law, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences combines Social Sciences Academic Press releases . The blue book divided into four parts: report, special report, the state research report and local law.
Feb. 27 2013
The National People's Congress is becoming more representative and connecting with the grassroots as increasing numbers of migrant workers, women and rural deputies join the top legislative bodyA total of 1,042, or nearly 35 percent of the 12th NPC deputies, are government and Party officials, according to the top legislative body. This is down almost 7 percentage points from the previous session.
Feb. 28 2013
Liu Zhenmin, permanent representative of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Other International Organizations in Switzerland, made the remarks in the high-level panel on VDPA at the Human Rights Council's 22nd session."We call upon all parties to promote dialogue and cooperation in human rights, facilitate the full implementation of the VDPA and make concerted efforts for the sound development of international human rights endeavors," Liu told ministers attending the panel.
Mar. 3, 2013 –Mar. 12, 2013
Members of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) attend the first session of the 12th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 3, 2013. A press conference is held by the first session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 6, 2013. Leaders of central committees of the democratic parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce jointly received interviews at the press conference. The newly-elected leader of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) pledged Tuesday to promote consultative democracy, saying that it embodies the intrinsic requirements of socialist democracy.
Mar. 5, 2013 – Mar. 17, 2013
Zhang Dejiang presides over the opening meeting of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2013. REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS Delivered at the First Session of the Twelfth National People's Congress on March 8, 2013Wu Bangguo Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. At the end of the meeting, Xi Jinping elected Chinese president. Li Keqiang endorsed as Chinese premier
Mar. 10, 2013
Cao Jianming, China's procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP), delivers a report on the SPP's work during the third plenary meeting of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 10, 2013.
Mar. 10, 2013
Report on State Council institutional reform and transformation of government functions: According to the proposal, China plans to: dismantle the Railway Ministry, with its administrative powers incorporated into the Ministry of Transport and the National Development and Reform Commission. The China Railway Corporation will run the existing Railway Ministry's commercial functions; set up the National Health and Family Planning Commission through merging the existing Health Ministry with the National Population and Family Planning Commission; elevate the status of the State Administration of Food and Drug to a general administration in order to improve food and drug safety; merge its two media regulators, the General Administration of Press and Publication and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, into one to oversee the country's press, publication, radio, film and television sectors; restructure the country's top oceanic administration to enhance maritime law enforcement and strengthen protection and use of its oceanic resources; and restructure the National Energy Administration in order to streamline administrative and regulatory system of the energy sector.
Mar. 14, 2013
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, was elected president of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and chairman of the PRC Central Military Commission (CMC) on Thursday. Li Yuanchao, a 62-year-old member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, was elected vice president. Li Keqiang endorsed as Chinese premier.
Mar. 15, 2013
Xi Jinping attends the fifth plenary meeting of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2013. The meeting will vote to decide on the premier, as well as vice chairpersons and members of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China. Xu Qiliang is endorsed as vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the People's Republic of China at the fifth plenary meeting of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2013. Fan Changlong is endorsed as vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the People's Republic of China at the fifth plenary meeting of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2013.
Mar. 17, 2013
Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to rely on the people and bring benefit to the people in achieving the "Chinese dream." He vowed to always listen to the voice of the people and respond to the expectations of the people. We must make persistent efforts, press ahead with indomitable will, continue to push forward the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and strive to achieve the Chinese dream of great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," Xi said.
Mar. 17, 2013
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang greets the journalists at a press conference after the closing meeting of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 17, 2013. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Vice Premiers Zhang Gaoli, Liu Yandong, Wang Yang and Ma Kai met the press and answered questions here on Sunday. China's premier Li Keqiang pledged Sunday to advance urbanization in a steady, active and prudent way, saying that urbanization is an inevitable trend. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Sunday that he is willing to accept supervision from the society and media on clean governance.
Mar. 20, 2013
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presides over the first plenary meeting of the newly-elected State Council, China's cabinet, in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2013.Premier Li Keqiang announced that the transformation of government functions is the first task for the newly-elected State Council, China's cabinet, but warned that it is an "arduous" task. Li made the remarks at the first plenary meeting of the new cabinet on Wednesday, which marked the official start of the central government's new term in performing its duty.He asked all departments to act conscientiously to achieve various goals for transforming government functions within the time limit, urging them not to be superficial in the reform by only "changing the liquid but not the drugs."
Mar. 26, 2013
Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday said China will deepen its anti-corruption efforts by improving the mechanism used to control power, money and government officials. Li made the remarks at a State Council meeting dedicated to anti-corruption work, the first such meeting held by the new cabinet. Li said the cabinet must focus on building a government that is innovation-oriented and clean, as well as features the rule of law.
Mar. 27, 2013
In a joint interview on Tuesday with reporters from BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), Xi said China hopes that countries and cultures around the world will carry out exchanges on equal footing, learn from each other and achieve common progress.He also voiced his hope that all countries will make joint efforts to build a harmonious world featuring enduring peace and common prosperity.
Mar. 30, 2013
Chen Rugui, executive vice-mayor of Guangzhou, said the increase of property prices in Guangdong's provincial capital will not be more than the city's gross domestic product growth rate this year. The GDP growth rate this year is projected to be about 8 percent. In Shanghai, a 20-percent capital gains tax on property sellers, as required by the central government, will be strictly levied in the city if the original value of the house can be verified, the local government said in a statement posted yesterday evening on its website. The city of Beijing banned single-person households from buying more than one residence and increased the minimum down-payment for all buyers of second homes as the government seeks to cool the property market.
Apr. 1, 2013
Chinese cities have been urged to step up the construction of drains to avoid waterlogging during theflood season.Local authorities should work to eliminate hidden troubles and take emergency measures to avoid casualties and heavy property losses caused by rainstorms, a central government notice said.The notice requires authorities to increase investment, improve law-making and establish contingency mechanisms. It also demands that the waterlogging prevention work should be included in the evaluation system of government performance.
Apr. 2, 2013
Xi Jinping waters a maidenhair tree together with a pupil during a tree-planting event in Fengtai District in Beijing, capital of China, April 2, 2013. Chinese top leaders Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli joined in the tree planting event here on Tuesday.
Apr. 7, 2013
General Office of the State Council publishes the food safety arrangement for 2013. The work requires the branch related to this area make every effort to fighting with food additives.
Apr. 8, 2013- Apr. 10, 2013
China's market environment is fair and there is no finishing line to improve market economy, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday at the on-going Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2013.Attracting foreign funds is an important channel for China to import advanced technology, speed up industrial upgrading, and learn international experiences, Xi said during a roundtable dialogue with representatives of about 30 well-known enterprises from China and overseas.
Apr. 16, 2013
China Society for Human Rights Studies held offical conversation named "People's Livehood and Human Rights" . Luo Haocai, President of China Society for Human Rights Studies held the offical conversation. The scholars from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Nankai University etc. attend the conversation.
Apr. 18, 2013
New Chinese ambassador to the United States on Wednesday strongly condemned the Boston bombings, while stressing the need for the two countries to enhance cooperation in dealing with global challenges including the threat of terrorism. He noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama, during their recent phone talks, reached an important consensus on advancing the China-U.S. relationship in the new era.
Apr. 20, 2013
A 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit Lushan county of Ya'an city in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 8:02 a.m. Saturday Beijing Time, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).
Apr. 21, 2013
China on Sunday retorted the U.S. criticism and distortions of its human rights situation by publishing a report of the U.S. human rights record.The Human Rights Record of the United States in 2012 was released by the Information Office of China's State Council, or the Cabinet, in response to the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012 issued by the U.S. State Department.
Apr. 23, 2013 - Apr. 25, 2013
China's top legislature will vote on a draft tourism law on Thursday at the end of its bimonthly session.The decision was made at a meeting of the chairman and vice chairpersons of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) on Wednesday. The meeting was presided over by Chairman Zhang Dejiang.
The lawmakers will also vote on a draft list of the chairperson, vice chairpersons and members of the Credentials Committee of the NPC Standing Committee.
Apr. 24, 2013
China cuts, transfers 71 administrative approval items. The meeting was presided over by Premier Li Keqiang.To let the market play its role and empower social forces, the Chinese government has vowed to take drastic action to reduce items that demand official approval or transfer such power to lower levels.
Apr. 25, 2013
In purpose of helping mass acknowledge Hu Jintao's thinking about "Harmonious Socialist Society". The book "build a harmonious socialist society" has been published a few days ago in national release.
Apr. 26, 2013
A senior judge on Thursday urged his colleagues to respect lawyers and allow them to perform their duties according to law to prevent wrongful verdicts.
Apr. 27, 2013
Public mourning was held on Saturday morning in southwest China's Sichuan Province for those who died in a 7.0-magnitude quake a week ago.The public mourning began with all transportation vehicles sounding their sirens at 8:02 a.m., the time the devastating earthquake hit on April 20, and was followed by a silent tribute of 3 minutes.
The quake has claimed nearly 200 lives and destroyed about 126,000 homes, according to official figures.
Apr. 28, 2013
Xi Jinping meets model workers. Hybrid rice researcher Yuan Longping told President Xi Jinping on Sunday that he hopes his hybrid rice will one day be grown throughout the world.The elderly Yuan met Xi at the headquarters of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, where Xi also met with recipients of the "Model Workers" title just ahead of International Workers' Day, which falls on May 1.
May 1, 2013
A mental health law that requires consent from mentally ill patients before they receive inpatient treatment took effect in China on May 1, 2013.
The law was approved by the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress last October after three readings.
The law says mentally ill people, with the exception of those with a severe mental illness or who have the potential to harm themselves or others, should receive inpatient treatment on a purely voluntary basis.
The law also requires medical institutions to respect their right to demand a discharge.
May 3, 2013
China will punish the production and sale of unsafe food products more harshly to combat increasingly severe food scandals, judicial authorities said on Friday.
The Supreme People's Court (SPC) and the Supreme People's Procuratorate have issued interpretations that specify crimes related to food safety and set standards for the punishment for these crimes, court spokesman Sun Jungong told a press conference.
The explanations are believed to form a more rigorous system to punish crimes that threaten food safety, he said.
May 14, 2013
A government report, made public on May 14, 2013, highlighted China's progress in protecting human rights through improving people's livelihood.
The people's living standards are constantly on the rise as steady yet relatively rapid economic development has provided the foundation for a better livelihood for the Chinese people, says the report titled "Progress in China's Human Rights in 2012" issued by the Information Office of the State Council.
May 15, 2013
The State Council, China's cabinet, on May 15, 2013 urged concerted efforts and innovation in reconstruction following the deadly earthquake that jolted Sichuan Province in April.
At an executive meeting presided over by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the cabinet decided to set up a mechanism to direct and coordinate post-quake reconstruction and initiate reconstruction "at an appropriate time."
About 797,000 affected local residents had been resettled so far, all schools had reopened, and production and life order in the quake zone have gradually been restored, according to a statement issued after the meeting.
Relevant departments should carry out post-quake reconstruction planning and introduce relevant policies based on a scientific assessment of disaster conditions, it added.
May 16, 2013
The General Office of the State Council, China's cabinet, issued an instruction on May 16, 2013 to prohibit gender- or ethnicity-based discrimination in the employment of college graduates.
The instruction also forbids employers from instituting age, alma mater and household registry requirements.
Supervision over the human resource market should be strengthened to crack down on employment fraud and correct discriminatory practices, according to the instruction.
May 21, 2013
Chinese President Xi Jinping on May 21, 2013 visited Lushan County in southwest China's Sichuan Province, one month after the county was hit by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake.
Xi visited a gymnasium in the county, which was taken as a temporary shelter for the residents affected.
"I have been very concerned about you since the quake happened," Xi told the people sheltered in the gymnasium.
He also stressed scientific planning and implementation of the reconstruction work.
May 20 - 23, 2013
A delegation led by Mr. Luo Haocai, president of China Society for Human Rights Studies (CSHRS for short), visited the United States during May 20 to May 23, 2013.
The CSHRS delegation visited overseas Chinese, religious groups in Los Angeles, meeting with people from United States Department of States and Administrative Conference of United States (ACUS) in Washington and discussing with scholars and students from California State University, Northridge, CSUN.
Mr. Luo Haocai, president of China Society for Human Rights Studies, introduced Chinese Dream, the development of China's human rights and the Chinese society with rule of law. Luo said China has made great achievements on human rights protection, while livelihood and interest of people are stressed in China's sustainable development. Ye Xiaowen, vice president of China Society for Human Rights Studies, also delivered a speech.
May 27, 2013
The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on May 27, 2013 published two documents to regulate the formation of Party rules.
The two regulations are considered an important move to improve the CPC's internal management and sharpen intra-Party supervision.
One regulation is about which party organs are authorized to draft, approve, publish, amend and abolish party regulations and what procedures they should follow.
May 27, 2013
The delegation, led by Mr. Luo Haocai, president of China Society for Human Rights Studies (CSHRS for short), visited Cuba.
June 3, 2013
President Xi Jinping demanded all-out rescue efforts following a deadly fire that occurred at a poultry slaughterhouse in northeast China's Jilin Province on June 3, 2013.
Xi urged authorities to ascertain the cause of the fire and hold those responsible accountable. He said lessons should be drawn from the fire and effective measures should be put in place to prevent major accidents from happening.
June 4, 2013
A bulletin issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, revealed that the whole emission of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in year 2012 was 24.237 million tons and the emission of ammonia nitrogen was 2.536 million tons, each dropped by 3.05% and 2.62% compared with the last year. Among the exhaust gas, the emission of sulfur dioxide accounts to 21.176 million tons, and nitrogen oxides (NOX.) 23.378 million tons, each dropped by 4.52% and 2.77%. According to the figures, the situation of national environment quality is stable but still grim.
June 6, 2013
President Xi pointed out that lots of loopholes and problems in work safety management remain at many places and factories, and the government must enhance supervision of safety problems.
Government authorities should keep in mind that work safety is fundamental for the sustainable and healthy growth of the economy. More efforts should be made to prevent serious accidents. Government departments should learn lessons from the accident and carry a thorough nationwide check on work safety and establish a long-term mechanism as soon as possible to get rid of hidden threats to work safety.
June 17, 2013
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the standing committee of the political bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, payed an inspection visit to the National Audit Office. Li said, China must strengthen supervision through effective auditing work to better carry out macro-control policies and be sharp-sighted in detecting problems in the use of financial funds.
Efforts must be made to guarantee the spending for poverty alleviation and disaster relief and other funds that improve people's livelihood, in order to bring into full play the proactive fiscal policy.
Li emphasized the role of auditing in exposing corrupt practices and abuse of power, helping carry out the government's frugality campaign and facilitating the country's systemic reform, in an effort to construct a clean, thrift and rule-of-law government. Special audits shall be conducted on administrative spending for local governments at all levels and all departments.
June 17, 2013
China's national "Food Safety week" begun. It's jointly organized by 14 units including the State Council Food Safety Commission Office, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Education.
Around 70 activities were held during the 10 days around the country to call on everybody to safeguard food safety. Exhibitions, forums, and prize quizzes were also held. Officials said a more extensive crackdown would be on lawbreakers, including people who provide assistance to those who produce or sell poisonous and harmful food, will be implemented.
June 18 2013
The Supreme People's Court (SPC) and the Supreme People's Procuratorate of PRC jointly released a law interpretation document on environmental pollution lawsuits.
Since the difficulties exist in collecting evidence, pollution identification and confirmation. This interpretation document comes out in time and can contribute to environment protection.
June 24-25, 2013
China and the European Union exchanged in-depth views on human rights issues during the 32nd round of the EU-China Dialogue on Human Rights in Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province.
The two-day dialogue that opened on June 24, 2013 was co-chaired by Li Junhua, director-general of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, and Gerhard Sabathil, director for North-East Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service of the EU.
China and the EU introduced the latest progress they have made in human rights-related issues and exchanged views on issues such as cooperation in the fields of human rights, minoritiy and criminal punishment.
Li suggested that China and the EU adhere to three basic principles on the mode of development in the field of human rights -- namely, upholding the spirit of equality and mutual respect, pinpointing the dialogue goals the two sides expect to achieve and addressing differences properly.
June 25, 2013
Annual Report on China's Rule of Law in 2012 was published by China Law Society. It is the fifth annual report.
The report introduced the development of China on rule of law, including law-making, law-based administration, human rights protection and intellectual property rights protection.
June 26, 2013
Premier Li Keqiang pledged to improve housing conditions for the underprivileged and promote urbanization by accelerating shantytown reforms after an executive meeting of the State Council presided over by Li on June 26th.
July 1, 2013
A revised version of the Law for the Protection of the Rights and Interests of the Elderly took effect on July 1, 2013, urging the relatives of elderly people to regularly visit and care for them.
The legislation is part of government efforts to address issues facing China's growing elderly population.
The amended law, adopted last December by the top legislature, specifies that relatives should attend to the needs of their elderly family members and those who live separately from their elderly relatives should visit them regularly.
July 7, 2013
An Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 that burst into flames after it slammed into the runway at San Francisco airport on July 6, 2013.
Chinese President Xi expressed deep concern about the plane crash, offering condolences towards victims.
July 9, 2013
During a research tour to south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from July 8, 2013 to July 10, 2013, Premier Li Keqiang pledged policy support to help stabilize growth and improve people's lives in this relatively underdeveloped region.
The three-day tour saw Premier Li visit ports, companies, plantations and villages, where he talked with local workers, businesses and farmers to better grasp the current economic conditions in the world's second-largest economy.
July 22, 2013
President Xi Jinping has called for all-out rescue efforts and the prioritization of life-saving measures following a deadly 6.6-magnitude earthquake that jolted Minxian and Zhangxian counties at 7:45 a.m. on July 22, 2013.
Xi asked the Gansu provincial government and relevant departments to carry out rescue work in a timely manner and make their utmost efforts to reduce casualties.
The president urged local authorities to provide assistance for the resettlement of quake victims, strengthen aftershock monitoring and take measures to prevent secondary disasters and minimize losses caused by the quake.
July 24, 2013
China will continue its efforts to deepen reform in the medical and healthcare sector in 2013, said the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) on July 25, 2013.
According to a recent outline issued by the State Council, China would aim at 26 tasks for the reform, including accelerating the building of a national healthcare system, consolidating the basic drug system, improving the operation of grassroots medical institutions and promoting reform of public hospitals.
More efforts would also be made to guarantee subsidies for rural doctors and accelerate the establishment of public-funded medical institutions.
July 24, 2013
China will crack down on arbitrary charges relating to school admissions, according to a Ministry of Education (MOE) guideline on July 24, 2013.
The guideline bans local governments, institutions and schools to charge for school admissions under any circumstance.
It also forbids colleges to carry out illegal recruitment and says that false reporting, embezzlement and misappropriation of educational funds will be severely punished.
July 30 - 31, 2013
China and the United States held a dialogue on human rights issue in Kunming, capital city of southwest China's Yunnan Province, according to a Foreign Ministry press.
The Chinese delegation is headed by a Foreign Ministry official and the U.S. delegation is led by a State Department official.
The two sides conducted frank, in-depth, comprehensive and constructive discussions on the protection of human rights and national concerns, international cooperation in human rights, justice and human rights, freedom of expression and privacy rights protection, according to the press release.
Aug. 9, 2013
Milk powder producers will be monitored more strictly and companies with quality or safety problems will be severely punished, China's food safety authorities said on Aug. 9, 2013.
The China Food and Drug Administration (CSDA) said local supervisory bodies must take full responsibility for helping milk firms improve their safety and management.
The CSDA highlighted the need for quality and safety in baby formula production, adding that specialists will work with local authorities to make sure safety risks are eliminated.
Aug. 12, 2013
According to the Ministry of Finance, recently the central revenue has earmarked 460 million yuan to relief the natural disasters, 200 million yuan for relieving severe droughts in Hunan, Guizhou and Hubei provinces and 260 million yuan for controlling floods and reconstruction of water conservancy facilities in Sichuan, Jilin and Shaanxi provinces.
Since this year, the Chinese central revenue has already earmarked 3,237 million yuan to relieve floods and droughts.
Aug. 13, 2013
The number of specialized social workers in China has reached 300,000, including over 80,000 who qualified after passing the government exam, according to a blue book published here on Aug. 13, 2013.
"A Report on the Development of Social Work in China (2011-2012)" was published by the Social Work Research Center, under the Ministry of Civil Affairs, in collaboration with the Social Sciences Academic Press, under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
It is the second of its kind to be published in the country. The first covered 2009-2010.
In China, "Social Work" refers to such sectors as social welfare, social assistance, poverty elimination, marriage and family affairs, mental health, disabled persons' rehabilitation, employment assistance, and prevention of crimes.
By 2015 and 2020, the number of Chinese social specialists is projected to top 500,000 and 1.45 million, respectively, according to a government plan which calls for greater efforts to train more social-work specialists.
Aug. 13, 2013
Public security authorities on Aug. 13, 2013 said fingerprint registrations for people who change their ID cards or plan to get new ones should be expedited in order to prevent counterfeiting and protect personal information.
Recent media reports stated that many people are involved in the trafficking of lost or stolen ID cards on the Internet, according to an official from the Ministry of Public Security.
"Those who illegally use others' ID cards will be subject to legal punishment," the official said, adding that the ministry will step up efforts to crack down on such activities.
More than 1.2 billion Chinese had received new ID cards since a new version of the cards was introduced in 2004.
The first version of the national ID card, which was launched in 1985, has been prohibited from use starting Jan. 1, 2013.
Aug. 13, 2013
Authorities issued China's first guideline for preventing incorrect judgments following multiple court scandals.
Issued by the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on its website, the guideline reiterates several legal principles, including those preventing punishment for people whose guilt can not be absolutely established and those stipulating that judges, procurators and police officers will bear a "life-long responsibility" for their roles in wrongful judgments.
Chen Weidong, a professor at the Law School of Renmin University, said recent scandals have brought unprecedented challenges to the court system.
"Compared with correcting miscarriages of justice, it's more pressing and important to work out preventive measures," Chen said.
The guideline stresses that for cases in which there is not enough evidence to prove a suspect's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the court should reserve punishment and pronounce defendants not guilty rather than issue judgments based on insufficient evidence.
Aug. 13, 2013
On August 13, 2013, the 12th training seminar on human rights was held by Information Office of China's State Council in Yinchuan, capital city of China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Participants, nearly 90, attended the seminar for 4 days.
Lu Guangjin, head of the seventh bureau of the Information Office of the State Council, made a speech in the opening ceremony.
He said "the state respects and safeguards human rights" has been enshrined in China's Constitution and CPC's Constitution, and become one of the goals for realizing an all-round well-off society in the 18th CPC National Congress, which suggested the great importance China has attached to human rights cause all the time.
According to Mr. Lu's speech, one of the Office's missions is to clear foreign countries' misunderstandings about China's human rights and telling the truth.
Up till now, 8 white papers and 3 blue papers on China's human rights, several reports on Human Rights Record of the United States, 2 five-year national human rights action plans have been worked out. These played a big role in enhancing further understanding of the world about China's human rights and strengthening human rights studies.
Six experts give lectures on human rights development.
Aug. 16, 2013
Greater reforms and innovation will be used to build a diversified nationwide elderly care service system by 2020, Premier Li Keqiang said on Aug. 16, 2013.
A sound elderly care service industry will help to create jobs and facilitate economic restructuring, Li said at an executive meeting of the State Council.
China has a rapidly aging society and the largest population of elderly people in the world, reaching almost 200 million.
There are only 21.5 beds available for every 1,000 elderly people in China's nursing homes, according to the Social Development Department of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's top economic planner.
Elderly care service facilities should be built in new communities and updated in old ones, the council said, adding that free or inexpensive services should be provided to disadvantaged elderly people, especially in rural areas.
Aug. 18, 2013
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang urged help for residents in quake-hit areas to deal with the upcoming winter while he visited northwest China's Gansu Province.
Li took nine hours to arrive in Meichuan Township, Minxian County on Saturday. Minxian is one of the places struck by the 6.6-magnitude quake on July 22 which killed at least 95 people.
Li said at a meeting in Minxian County that the first priority was to guarantee that residents could keep warm during the the winter, expected to fall very soon in the high, mountainous area.
The government will allocate another 10,000 cotton tents to needy households by the end of August. All the cooker units and subsidies must be in the hands of residents before the end of September, he said.
Li emphasized that schools must resume classes on time so that students' education will not be delayed.
Aug. 19, 2013
Chinese President Xi Jinping demanded all-out efforts in putting people's lives first as the country's northeast combated the worst floods in more than a decade.
Xi asked local authorities and armed forces to guard against risks and save people's lives.
Since Aug. 14, persistent downpours had caused the worst floods since 1998 in Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces, also the heartland of China's grain production.
By 4 p.m. Aug. 19, 2013, 85 people were confirmed dead and 105 were missing. Some 3.74 million people have been affected, with direct economic losses totaling 16.14 billion yuan (2.6 billion U.S. dollars).
Although the floods had passed their peak, the outlook remained grim for autumn.
Aug. 20, 2013
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang presided over a video conference on anti-flood mission in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 20, 2013.
Aug. 20, 2013
The Chinese government launched a five-month campaign on Tuesday to combat illegal online pharmaceutical sales, the latest in a spate of efforts to clean up online activities.
The campaign primarily focused on websites that have obtained Internet drug sale licenses but were found to have been involved in the promotion or sale of fake drugs, according to department authorities.
The campaign was jointly launched by China Food and Drug Administration, the State Internet Information Office, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, according to a statement issued by the departments.
Vendors who market drugs on the Internet without obtaining business licenses and those selling fake drugs will also be targeted during the campaign, the statement said.
Drugs for the treatment of tumors, sexual dysfunction, diabetes and high blood pressure have been listed as "major targets," according to the statement, adding that the campaign will also crack down on producers of counterfeit drugs.
Aug. 21, 2013
The Chinese public have become more familiar with human rights, said a report on China's human rights development, or the annual human rights blue book.
"The social atmosphere of respecting and ensuring human rights has gradually ripened," said the report, released Wednesday by the China Society for Human Rights Studies (CSHRS).
The CSHRS, which was established in 1993, conducted the country's largest ever survey on the public's understanding of human rights, according to the report which has been released annually since 2011.
The report focuses on the latest development of China's human rights cause and the significance of the national human rights action plans.
It contains sections like "economic, social and cultural rights","citizen and political rights","human rights protection for vulnerable groups" and "legislation and international cooperation."
Aug. 26-30, 2013
China's lawmakers deliberatied changes to the consumer rights law dealing with unconditional returns and false advertising.
The draft amendment to the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests, which took effect 20 years ago, was tabled for a second reading at the ongoing bimonthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, which runs from Aug. 26-30, 2013.
Lawmakers specified items that call for a seven-day period allowing shoppers to unconditionally return merchandise for refunds. The previous draft ensures e-shoppers' rights to unilaterally terminate contracts.
Some legislators said such regulations should be improved to prevent customers from abusing their rights and mitigate the impact on sellers.
The new draft would clarify certain products not suitable for unconditional return. These products include custom-tailored items, fresh and perishable goods, software and audio-visual products with the sealing removed by customers. Newspapers and magazines were also excluded from the regulation on unconditional returns.
Aug. 29, 2013
At least one disabled person should be employed in China's provincial-level Party or government organs and municipal working committees for the disabled by 2020, according to an official statement.
Those bodies are asked to offer more preference to help the disabled get employment and ensure their rights to apply for the civil service, according to the statement posted on Aug. 29, 2013 on the website of China's Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF).
At least 15 percent of disabled people should be employed in provincial-level disabled persons' federations, according to the statement.
The statement was jointly issued by seven departments including the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Ministry of Finance and the CDPF.
China has more than 85 million disabled people. The number is expected to exceed 160 million by 2050, according to the federation.
Aug. 29, 2013
A senior justice of China's Supreme People's Court (SPC) vowed heavy sentences on sexual crimes against minors especially those committed by teachers, who should act as guardian and educator for their charges.
SPC vice president Huang Ermei stressed harsher punishments on such crimes according to the law and maximum protection for the victims at a seminar on Aug. 29, 2013 in the wake of recent incidents involving children.
Heavy penalties should be imposed in criminal cases which seriously hurt the physical and mental health of minors, such as sexual assaults and molestation against children or forced prostitution of underage girls, Huang said.
Sept. 9, 2013
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stressed raising education quality in underdeveloped regions while visiting teachers in Dalian on Monday ahead of Teachers' Day on Sept. 10.
Li visited Dalian No. 20 High School, a school that has pioneered the enrollment of students from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Schools in China's prosperous towns host Xinjiang students in order to give them better education opportunities.
While talking with teachers at the school, Li extended festive greetings to all teachers in China and called teaching the most venerable profession.
Sept. 9 -18
The EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Mr Stavros Lambrinidis, paid a visit to
China from 9-18 September 2013. He met with deputy minister of Ministry for Foreign Affairs and officials from Supreme People's Court, State Ethnic Affairs Commission, State Council Information Office and State Administration for Religious Affairs respectively. The mission included days in the ethnic Tibetan areas of Qinghai Province and the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Sept. 11 -13
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stressed Chinese government would implement long-term proactive employment policy at the seventh Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum.
Sept. 11, 2013
Medical insurance subsidies for rural residents would increase in 2013, China's health authority said on Sept. 11, 2013.
Under the new rural cooperative medical program, the annual government grant for each rural resident would rise from 240 yuan to 280 yuan (45.75 U.S. dollars), according to a National Health and Family Planning Commission statement.
Under the program, rural residents would pay 20 yuan more. They would pay a 70 yuan-per person premium, bringing the total for each person to 350 yuan, up from 290 yuan in 2012.
Sept. 12 - 13, 2013
The sixth Beijing Forum on Human Rights on constructing an environment for sustainable human rights development opened Sept. 12, 2013.
The two-day forum attracted more than 100 officials and human rights experts from the United Nations and 33 countries and regions.
Topics cover rule of law, the Internet, protection of human rights, and international cooperation in human rights issues, among others.
The forum is coorganized by the China Society for Human Rights Studies (CSHRS), the largest human rights academic group in China, and the China Foundation for Human Rights Development, a major civil group.
At the opening ceremony, Luo Haocai, president of the CSHRS and a former senior political advisor, said human rights development does not only have one path as countries face different conditions.
"Therefore, countries should seek their own roads for human rights development compatible to their economic, social and cultural development," added Luo.
Cai Mingzhao, head of the Information Office of the State Council, China's cabinet, said the Chinese Dream concept that the Communist Party of China put forward last year has its roots in human rights development, as it encourages self struggle in seeking a better life.
"The Chinese Dream has a common spirit with the world's dream," added Cai. "It can benefit not only the Chinese people but also the whole of mankind."
The annual event was first held in 2008 and has grown to be a key platform for human rights exchanges among different countries, ethnicities and cultures.
Sept. 13, 2013
The China Society for Human Rights Studies and the National Human Rights Center of Uzbekistan on Sept. 13, 2013 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) over cooperation on human rights.
The MOU, which was signed on the sidelines of the Sixth Beijing Forum on Human Rights, is aimed at exchanges of experience on issues connected with providing efficient protection of human rights and considering the similarity of actions implemented by both institutions, according to a statement released after the signature ceremony.
Under the MOU, the two parties have agreed to cooperate in areas including exchange of legislative acts, materials and information on actions regarding protection of human rights and freedoms, maintaining contact on issues concerning international cooperation in human rights, as well as preparation and publication of joint publications in this sphere.
Sept. 13, 2013
China will complete a network for the care of its elderly people by 2020, when the group is expected to reach 243 million, according to a government plan unveiled on Sept. 13, 2013.
By 2020, the country will have an improved service system covering daily tendance, medical care, psychological counseling and emergency aid. The industry will provide more than 10 million jobs and be governed by a sound legal system, industry standards and a supervision mechanism, according to a circular issued by the State Council, or China's cabinet.
China's population of people above the age of 60 had reached 194 million by the end of last year. The figure is expected to exceed 300 million by 2025, the circular said.
It vowed that the government will improve facilities for the elderly in urban areas and service in rural areas, develop the network of home-based services and promote the construction of related agencies.
The targets also include a prosperous consumption market and the combination of healthcare and elderly services.
Policies concerning financing, land supply, tax, subsidies, personnel training and employment will be improved to facilitate the development of the industry.
Sept. 17, 2013
Party and state leaders Xi Jinping , Li Keqiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli attend the sixth national congress of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 17, 2013. The sixth national congress of the China Disabled Persons' Federation kicked off on Sept. 17, 2013.
Sept. 24, 2013
China on Sept. 24, 2013 asked its schools to educate their children on self-protection against sexual assaults and tighten the review of their teachers' credentials after a spate of sexual assault cases shocked the nation.
The Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Security, the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) and the All-China Women's Federation, jointly issued guidelines on the prevention of sexual assaults against children.
The guidelines said campaigns must be launched to educate parents on how to protect their children, to raise awareness among children, and to tell victims how to seek help.
Sept. 26, 2013
President Xi Jinping vowed efforts to ensure education opportunities for every Chinese child to mark the first anniversary of the UN Global Education First Initiative.
"China will strive to let its 1.3 billion people enjoy a better, fairer education, and acquire abilities to develop themselves, contribute to society and benefit the people," said the president via a video for an anniversary event held on Sept. 25, 2013 in New York, headquarters of the United Nations.
Xi said that the Chinese government and people will firmly support the initiative led by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Sept. 27, 2013
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on Sept. 26, 2013 and Sept. 27, 2013 considered the combined 3rd to 4th report of China on its implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
It also considered the initial report of China on how the country was implementing the Optional Protocol on Children Involved in Armed Conflict.
Oct. 8, 2013
The Chinese government on Oct. 8, 2013 vowed to strengthen management of public funds used to ensure people's livelihood, such as poverty-relief funds.
Poverty-relief funds have long been a safety net for the poor and a catalyst for poverty reduction in China, according to a statement released after a State Council executive meeting presided over by Premier Li Keqiang.
Recent audits have found that some localities falsified eligibility information to claim the funds, embezzled the funds, failed to channel the funds to needy places, and executed weak supervision over the use of the funds, according to the statement.
Oct. 9, 2013
Top Chinese leaders have urged improving the working and living conditions in rural areas, citing successes in the eastern province of Zhejiang over the past decade.
Hailing achievements in improving the rural environment in Zhejiang, President Xi Jinping has called for spreading the province's experience nationwide.
Zhejiang, located on China's eastern coast, launched a project in 2003 to renovate houses and living facilities in the countryside, improve rural design and planning, and enhance the rural ecological and human environment.
Xi noted that governments in other areas should tailor measures to cater to their own circumstances rather than simply duplicating Zhejiang's approach.
Premier Li Keqiang has also urged local authorities to show respect for farmers' wishes and carry on traditional culture when devising measures or policies.
China's hundreds of millions of rural citizens expect better living conditions, Li said.
Vice Premier Wang Yang said that efforts should be focused on the disposal of waste and sewage and the building of infrastructure in the countryside.
Financial support will be increased for safeguarding rural residents' security of housing and transportation as well as drinking water safety.
Oct. 14, 2013
China has set the target of increasing the gross value of its health service sector to over 8 trillion yuan (1.31 trillion U.S. dollars) by 2020, according to a guideline issued by the State Council on Oct. 14, 2013.
More measures will be taken to boost this sector, which will serve to improve people's wellbeing as well as shoring up growth, said the guideline.
The health service industry covers medical services, health management, health insurance, and other supporting sectors related to pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, healthcare facilities and healthcare food.
New measures to increase private capital in the sector will include relaxing market admittance requirements for investment from non-governmental sources, and giving equal treatment to not-for-profit private medical institutions and public medical establishments.
The government will also simplify approval procedures for rehabilitation centers, hospitals for children and elderly patients, and nursing homes, according to the guideline.
Oct. 15, 2013
China's cabinet on Oct. 15, 2013 promised to improve information transparency to better respond to people's concerns.
Information releasing should be active, timely, comprehensively and accurate, according to a circular issued by the State Council.
Transparency in government information is a basic requirement for closer government-people relations and further transformation of governing manners, said the circular, describing transparency as an important measure to enhance the government's credibility and safeguard the people's rights to know, participate in and supervise government.
However, it warned, some local governments have not publicized information in a timely manner, or even keep silent on issues concerning the people, which has caused public misunderstanding and tarnished the government's image.
The State Council urged governments at all levels to adopt various new media channels to release information and interact with the public as well as to improve their news spokesman systems and official websites.
Oct. 16, 2013
China's ministries of finance and civil affairs had jointly allocated 118 million yuan (19 million U.S. dollars) as relief fund to Zhejiang and Fujian, two eastern coastal provinces hit by Typhoon Fitow.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the fund would be mainly used for the urgent resettlement of affected people, reconstruction of damaged houses and support for relatives of those killed in the havoc.
Typhoon Fitow, which made landfall in Fujian, just south of Zhejiang, early on Oct. 7, brought heavy rain to the regions, inundating roads and houses, and causing river breaches and power failures.
Oct. 21, 2013
Before the second Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on China by the Human Rights Council, Photo Exhibition on Achievements of China's Human Rights was held in Geneva on Oct. 21, 2013.
Oct. 22, 2013
The Chinese government on Oct. 22, 2013 issued a white paper on west China's Tibet Autonomous Region, detailing its comprehensive development and rapid progress over the past 60-plus years.
"The development and progress in modern Tibet results from the innate logic of its social and historical environment, and has its roots in China's progress in a larger context," says the white paper, released by the Information Office of the State Council under the title "Development and Progress of Tibet."
Describing the region prior to the 1950s "as dark and backward as medieval Europe," the white paper notes in the foreword that Tibet was a society of feudal serfdom under theocratic rule, a society characterized by a combination of political and religious powers.
Oct. 16, 2013
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang signed a decree on urban drainage and sewage treatment, as flooding and water pollution was becoming a bigger problem at a time of rapid urbanization.
The decree, which will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2014, stipulates that all governments above the county level must include the building and management of urban drainage and sewage treatment facilities into their economic and social development plan.
The decree provides that cities and towns must plan their drainage and sewage treatment systems in accordance with their local climate, geography,and their economic and social development level.
Oct. 22, 2013
China has implemented or has been carrying out recommendations received four years ago during the first UN human rights review and has basically fulfilled its commitment, a senior Chinese diplomat said Oct. 22, 2013.
Wu Hailong, head of the Chinese delegation, said in his opening statement at the second Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on China by the Human Rights Council, that the notion of promoting and safeguarding human rights has long been incorporated into China's Constitution, its national economic and social development plans and the Constitution of the Communist Party of China.
Oct. 24, 2013
Chinese authorities released a guideline on the handling of sex offences against minors on Oct. 24, 2013, promising severe penalties and minimum tolerance following many recent incidents.
Heavier sentences should be handed down for offenses committed by teachers and government personnel tasked with educating and protecting the victims, according to a joint communique by the Supreme People's Court (SPC), the Supreme People's rocuratorate, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Justice.
Oct. 25, 2013
The report of the second round of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on China was adopted on Oct. 25, 2013 by the Working Group on the UPR of the Human Rights Council (HRC).
Wu Haitao, deputy head of the Chinese delegation, said in his statement that the Chinese delegation appreciates the spirit of independence, impartiality, transparency and dedication that has been demonstrated in the preparation of the report.
He added that the report is in general an objective and balanced reflection of the review of China by the working group.
Oct. 25, 2013
China's top legislature Oct. 25, 2013 passed a revision to the law on consumer rights and interests, the first time since the legislation was adopted in 1993.
A total of 150 members of the Standing Committee of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) voted for the bill while two opposed and one abstained at its bi-monthly session, which closed here Friday. The bill has been through three readings since April this year.
The revision, focused on better protecting the rights and interests of consumers, added regulations on online shopping and tightened liabilities of businesses.
Oct. 28, 2013
China's health watchdog vowed to set up a national network to monitor the impact of air pollution on human health within the coming three to five years.
The goal was revealed in a work plan on air pollution released by the National Health and Family Planning Commission on Oct. 28, 2013.
Under the plan, the network will gather data on the compositions of PM2.5, airborne particles measuring less than 2.5 microns in diameter, in different regions and the density changes of main air pollutants, which will provide data support for the analysis and evaluation of their impact on health.
Oct. 30, 2013
Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the need to accelerate the country's housing security and supply to guarantee people's basic residential needs.
Presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee on Tuesday, Xi said that pushing the construction of the housing supply system is a solid project that benefits all people.
"Solving the housing issue is a long-term task," the president said. "China still faces problems such as insufficient affordable housing and imbalances in housing resources distribution."
Xi said future work will stick to market-oriented reform, and properly handle the roles of government and the market, economic and social functions of housing development, relations of necessity and possibility and the difference between housing security and welfare trap.
Meanwhile, he vowed, the government shall meet the basic housing needs of the group troubled by unadaptable labor skills, lack of job opportunities or low income.
Xi pointed out that the general scheme of building China's housing supply system is that the government realizes most of the basic needs while leaving other diversified demands for the market rules.
Oct. 29, 2013
The Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council on Oct. 29, 2013 began to solicit public opinions on a draft amendment to the food safety law that imposes harsher punishment on violators.
The draft contains changes and additional stipulations that highlight the liability of food companies and local governments, offer innovative supervision methods and strengthen the role of the public in ensuring food safety, among other aspects.
Concerning infant formula, the draft stipulates that manufacturers should report the raw materials, ingredients and labels of their products to food safety administrations, and they are not allowed to contract the production to other people or repackage original products.
Oct. 31, 2013
China's Ministry of Public Security promised a zero tolerance approach to violence and other crimes targeted at medical staff.
A ministry circular on Oct. 31, 2013 said police will help hospitals resolve disputes between doctors and patients and improve security in hospitals, after a number of violent episodes between doctors and patients in the past few months, some of which led to the death of medical staff.
On Oct. 25, a doctor was killed and two others injured by a dissatisfied patient at a hospital in east China's Zhejiang Province.
Oct. 30, 2013
China's top legislature planned to discuss 68 bills in the next five years, 11 of which are related to environmental issues.
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's national legislature, announced a five-year legislation plan Oct. 30, 2013.
A total of 47 bills are set to be discussed, including 33 draft amendments and 14 new laws, according to the plan.
Oct. 30, 2013
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Oct. 30, 2013 called for improved social assistance via legislation, as part of efforts to help people in strained circumstance, according to a cabinet statement.
The social assistance system plays a vital role in promoting market-oriented reform and social justice, as well as safeguarding people's rights to subsistence and dignity, according to a statement released after a State Council executive meeting presided over by the Premier.
China is dedicated to perfecting its social assistance system, which covers the sectors of minimum living allowances, disaster relief, medical treatment, unemployment, compulsory education, housing and temporary relief.
Li noted that China has made positive progress in social aid, asking relevant departments to transfer such successful practices into regulations or laws as soon as possible.
The meeting urged authorities to adjust the minimum social security standard in accordance with local economic development and commodity price fluctuations, and build a support system in order to help those who are unable to work to make a living both in urban and rural areas.
Oct. 28, 2013
Chinese leaders Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan, Zhang Gaoli attended the 11th National Women's Congress of China which opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 28, 2013.
Chinese women were told at the opening of the 11th National Women's Congress to "hold up half the sky" in "the great practice of developing socialism with Chinese characteristics."
Nov. 5-6, 2013
The fifth national conference of human rights institutions held in Wuhan, Hubei province. During Nov. 5-6, over a hundred of scholars attended the conference.
Nov. 15, 2013
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will ensure that the authority of the constitution and laws is upheld.
According to the full text of a key reform decision released by the CPC Central Committee on Nov. 15, 2013, implementation of the constitution will be taken to a "new level," through improved supervision to ensure that all are treated equally before the law.
No organization or individual has the privilege to overstep the constitution or any other laws, and all violations will be held accountable, according to the decision, approved by the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, a four-day meeting that ended on Nov. 12, 2013.
Nov. 12, 2013
China on Nov. 12, 2013 was elected to the UN Human Rights Council for a three-year term.
China was one of the 14 elected members to the 47-member UN human rights body at the 68th session of the UN General Assembly ( UNGA). It got 176 favorable votes from the 192 UN member states present in one round of secret ballot on Tuesday morning, winning a three-year term in the Council from 2014 to 2016.
The UN Human Rights Council, based in Geneva, Switzerland, and a major United Nations body working to promote and protect human rights worldwide, was set up by the UNGA on March 15, 2006, to replace and build upon the achievements of the 60-year-old Commission on Human Rights.
Members of the UN Human Rights Council are elected directly and individually by secret ballot by the majority of the UNGA members and will serve for a period of three years after being elected, but they shall not be eligible for immediate re-election after two consecutive terms.
China was elected as a founding member of the Council in 2006 and was re-elected for another three-year term in 2009.
Nov. 15, 2013
The new judicial reform measures put forth in a key document of the Communist Party of China (CPC) are aimed at preventing miscarriage of justice and better protecting human rights, President Xi Jinping has said.
Judicial reform is a major part of China's overall reform, according to Xi's explanation of the decision on major issues concerning comprehensively deepening reforms, which was published Nov. 15, 2013.
Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, explained the decision to the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, which ran from Nov. 9 to 12.
"Judicial system is a major component of political system," Xi said, adding that the public have long complained about miscarriage of justice, and that the lack of judicial credibility is largely related to the unreasonable judicial system and working mechanism.
The plenum, which adopted the decision, put forward a series of new measures, including abolishing the "reeducation through labor" system, reforming the judicial administrative system and others, Xi said.
Nov. 21, 2013
China's top court issued a guideline on Nov. 21, 2013 how to better prevent unjust, fake and wrongful decisions.
The guideline aims to better protect citizens' rights and help guarantee that judgments are announced independently, according to the Supreme People's Court, adding that every verdict must be handed down in line with evidence.
Lu Guanglun, deputy presiding judge at No 3 Criminal Department, said no court can give judgments if evidence in a case is found to be insufficient.
Nov. 22, 2013
A leaking pipeline caught fire and exploded on Nov. 22, 2013 in the coastal city of Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province, local authorities said.
The injured are being treated in local hospitals.
The accident happened around 10:30 a.m. at the crossing between Haihe Road and Zhaitangdao Road in Huangdao District as workers were repairing a petroleum pipeline, according to the Qingdao government's publicity office. The pipeline had begun leaking oil at around 3 a.m. at the crossing between Qinghuangdao Road and Zhaitangdao Road, the office said.
Oil leaked from the Sinopec pipeline into the municipal pipe network, which caused the explosion, according to an initial investigation by the rescue headquarters at the scene.
About 1,000 square meters of road surface was covered in leaked oil at Zhaitangdao Road. Some of the oil had spilled into Jiaozhou Bay through the rainwater pipeline, and about 3,000 square meters of sea water was polluted by oil, according to the rescue headquarters.
Nov. 23, 2013
Earthquakes measuring above 5.8 magnitude and 5.0 magnitude jolted the city of Songyuan in northeast China's Jilin Province, Nov. 23, 2013. Premiere Li Keqiang urged to ensure quake-hit residents a warm winter.
Nov. 28, 2013
China Society for Human Rights Studies (CSHRS) held a seminar on Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee in Beijing on Nov. 28, 2013. Nearly 20 standing directors and directors in Beijing attended the seminar and discussed improvement of human rights protection on judicial system, while centering on the topic of Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee. President of the society, Mr. Luo Haocai delivered a speech at the meeting.
Dec. 1, 2013
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for legal and scientific prevention and control of HIV/AIDS as well as various social support for carriers and patients.
Xi made the remarks in a written instruction on the country's anti-HIV/AIDS work before the World AIDS Day, which falls on Dec. 1.
According to Xi, the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS concerns people's life and health and social harmony and stability and is the obligatory responsibility of the Party and the government.
Xi urged Party and government organs at all levels to step up the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Dec. 1, 2013
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stressed the need for scientific treatment and caring hearts in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Li made the comments in a letter he wrote to Beijing You'an Hospital. Vice Premier Liu Yandong visited the hospital on Dec. 1, 2013, World AIDS Day, and conveyed Li's letter.
Beijing You'an Hospital is one of the country's leading medical facilities to receive and treat HIV infected patients.
In his letter, Li said scientific prevention and treatment should be provided while discrimination against HIV carriers and AIDS patients should be eliminated to protect their legal rights and interests.
He also encouraged more volunteers to take part in the country's HIV/AIDS control work to form a "network" and "firewall" in fighting the virus.
Dec. 3, 2013
President Xi Jinping said that China will continue to seek steady progress and manage economic and social development through reform in 2014.
Reform should be integrated into all sectors of China's economic and social development in 2014, said Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.
Xi made the remarks at a symposium held on Nov. 22 to hear comments and suggestions from non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, as well as people without party affiliation about China's economic situation and economic work in 2014, according to a statement released on Dec. 3.
Dec. 4, 2013
China will move to improve basic schooling conditions for compulsory education in poverty-stricken areas, according to a new document unveiled on Dec. 4, 2013.
"Schools in poor areas are a weak link in China's education cause," said a statement released after an executive meeting of the State Council, the country's Cabinet, presided over by Premier Li Keqiang.
Improving the basic school conditions in poor areas is a move to safeguard the basic livelihood and promote equal access to education and social equity, it said.
The government will prioritize the impoverished rural areas in the country's central and western areas, while taking into consideration poor areas in other regions.
On the principle of thriftiness, China will adjust the structure of education expenditures by central and provincial finances to improve weak links in compulsory education in poor areas, the statement said.
Dec. 6, 2013
China ordered a nationwide safety inspection on oil and gas pipelines after an explosion on Nov. 22 killed 62 people in Shandong Province.
The inspection would continue till the end of March, 2014 and review planning, site selection, design, management and routine maintenance, according to a notice issued by the work safety committee of the State Council, China's Cabinet.
Dec. 6, 2013
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang ordered intensified efforts to improve work safety following a deadly explosion in November Shandong Province that left 62 dead.
Li made the comments in a written instruction as a work safety committee of the State Council, China's Cabinet, held a plenary session on Dec. 6, 2013 in Beijing.
"Production safety is a life-and-death matter and a red line that must not be crossed," Li said.
He urged a careful review of a nationwide work safety overhaul from June to September of this year to learn lessons from deadly accidents.
The country should put emphasis on accident prevention, regularly conduct safety inspections, and move to establish a permanent mechanism for ensuring work safety, Li said.
Dec. 8, 2013
China's top leaders on Dec. 8, 2013 welcomed major progress at the south-to-north water diversion project and called for further efforts to ensure the success of following construction work.
The project, one of the country's largest infrastructure schemes, is designed to take water from the south to drought-prone areas in the north, including Beijing. Water will flow northward via three routes -- eastern, middle and western.
The first-stage of the eastern route, with an investment of over 50 billion yuan (8.2 billion U.S. dollars), had recently started to supply water to the provinces of Jiangsu, Anhui and Shandong.
While congratulating on the progress, Chinese President Xi Jinping asked related personnel to learn from the experience for the smooth running of following tasks.
"We should strengthen management and keep working to ensure steady progress on the project and stable water quality," Xi instructed.
Dec. 10, 2013
To mark the 65th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a seminar on "Human Rights and Reform" was held by China University of Political Science and Law. Luo Haocai, president of China Soeciety for Human Rights Studies, attended the seminar and delivered an important address.
Dec. 18, 2013
China planed to strengthen the environmental protection of the Sanjiangyuan region of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, the source of important rivers.
With an average altitude of 4,000 meters, Sanjiangyuan, which means "source of three rivers" in Chinese, lies in the hinterland of west China's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and is home to China's biggest and highest wetlands ecosystem.
A newly-approved protection plan for the region aims to expand the rehabilitation area from 152,000 to 395,000 square kilometers, according to a statement released after Wednesday's executive meeting of the State Council, the country's Cabinet, presided over by Premier Li Keqiang.
Dec. 23, 2013
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) began reading a motion on abolition of the reeducation through labor system (laojiao) on Dec. 23, 2013.
The State Council's decision on reeducation through labor was approved by the top legislature in 1957, establishing the "laojiao" system. Supplementary regulations were approved in 1979.
The current motion points out that, for over 50 years, the laojiao system played a historically important role in safeguarding public security, maintaining social stability and correcting illegal behavior. Constant improvement to the legal system means the historical mission of laojiao has been completed.
Dec. 23, 2013
China's top legislature started review of a motion to streamline business administration through changes to seven laws, exempting more items from central government approval.
Tabled by the State Council, China's Cabinet, the bill involves amendments of laws concerning administration of pharmaceuticals, customs procedures, fisheries, marine environment protection, metrology and the tobacco monopoly.
The motion was submitted on Dec. 23, 2013 for deliberation at the bi-monthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), which runs from Dec. 23, 2013 through Dec. 28, 2013.
Dec. 24, 2013
China has pledged to deepen rural reforms and step up agricultural modernization, according to a statement issued after a central rural work conference which ended on Tuesday.
The two-day meeting was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and senior leaders Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli.
Central government policy on the countryside, agriculture and farmers has been effective in arousing enthusiasm in the new century and has boosted the development of agriculture and the countryside, the statement said.
Reform started in the countryside and rural growth has contributed much to the leap from being barely fed and clothed to moderate prosperity.
Dec. 25, 2013
The number of rural poor in China dropped by nearly 67 million from 2010 to 2012, according to a State Council's report on Dec. 25, 2013.
By the end of 2012, there were nearly 100 million rural residents still living in poverty, the report said.
Liu Yongfu, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, delivered the report to lawmakers at a bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), being held from Dec. 23 to 28.
Per capita annual net income in key poverty counties increased from 3,273 yuan (537 U.S. dollars) to 4,602 yuan (753 U.S. dollars) in the 2010 to 2012 period, an annual growth of 18.6 percent.
Infrastructure in these areas has constantly improved, said the report. A highway linking Tibet's Medog County, the last roadless county in China, opened to traffic in October 2013.
Dec. 25, 2013
China's food and drug watchdog unveiled a revised regulation that would significantly increase standards for domestic infant formula producers and lead to a shake-up of China's infant formula industry.
The revised regulation sets new rules and raises requirements for infant formula producers in nine areas, including product safety control, purchase of raw materials, formula product inspection, manufacturing process and product traceability.
The regulation, called Detailed Rules on Examination of Production License for Infant-formula Milk Powder Producers (Version 2013), was drafted with participation of 30 experts and food and drug supervisors, said the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA).
Dec. 28, 2013
China's top legislature on Dec. 28, 2013 resolved to allow couples to have two children if either parent is an only child.
This is a major change of the decades-long family planning policy in the world's most populous country.
The bi-monthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) passed a resolution on family planning, entrusting provincial congresses and their standing committees to make their own calls on implementation.
Dec. 28, 2013
The bi-monthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) adopted a resolution to abolish legal documents on "laojiao" (reeducation through labor) on Dec. 28, 2013.
The resolution stresses that all legal laojiao penalties before the abolition of the system remained valid. After abolition, those still serving laojiao time will be set free. Their remaining terms will not be enforced.
The resolution goes into effect Dec. 28, 2013.
Dec. 29, 2013
China will continue to shore up growth and improve people's livelihood, Premier Li Keqiang said during an inspection tour in Tianjin City.
The tour was partly meant as a New Year greeting and President Xi Jinping had made similar visits to a heat supply company and a nursing home in Beijing.
Dec. 29, 2013
Chinese officials were asked to "take the lead" in adhering to the smoking ban in public spaces.
According to a circular from the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, officials were not allowed to smoke in schools, hospitals, sports venues, public transport vehicles, or any other venues where smoking is banned.
Government functionaries were prohibited from using public funds to buy cigarettes, nor were they permitted to smoke or offer cigarettes when performing official duties, the circular noted.
Dec. 31, 2013
President Xi Jinping expressed his confidence in China's reform and extended good wishes to all Chinese in his New Year address Dec. 31, 2013.
"In 2013, we made an overall arrangement on comprehensively deepening reform, drawing a grand blueprint for the country's future development," Xi said in the address via state broadcasters.
"In 2014, we will make new strides along the path of reform."
The fundamental purpose of the reform is to make the country rich and strong, the society fair and just and people's lives better, he said.
Dec. 31, 2013
The Chinese government released a guideline on enhancing senior care services for people aged 60 and older.
The document, jointly released on Dec. 31, 2013 by 24 departments including a national working committee on aging, aims for comprehensive and improved policies and services, a more respectful public environment and more effective implementation by 2015.
The document urges health institutes to set up health profiles for locals over 65 and provide free health checks at least once a year.
