December 2016
China Issues White Paper on Right to Development
On December 1, 2016, Chinese government issued a white paper on the right to development, expounding on its philosophy, practice and contribution.
–News on December 1
From: Xinhua
Xi Congratulates Opening of Symposium on UN Development Right Declaration
President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to an international symposium that opened in Beijing on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations’ “Declaration on the Right to Development.”
–News on December 4
From: Xinhua
International Seminar Urges Equal Opportunities for Development
A two-day international seminar on the right to development concluded on December 5, 2016, urging continued global commitment to offering equal opportunities for development and sharing its benefits.
–News on December 5
From: Xinhua
China Releases Five-Year Plan for Cleaner Air, Water, Soil
China’s State Council has released a national plan on environmental improvements for the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), detailing tasks to cleanse polluted air, water and soil.
–News on December 5
From: Xinhua
China Issues First White Paper on Traditional Chinese Medicine
The Chinese government published its first white paper on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on December 6, 2016, detailing policies and measures on TCM development and highlighting its unique value in the new era.
–News on December 6
From: Xinhua
China Moves to Raise Farmers’ Income
China will intensify policy support in the next five years to narrow the urban-rural income gap and double farmers’ 2010 average per capita income by 2020, according to the State Council.
– News on December 6
From: Xinhua
China to Build Modern International Road Transport System by 2020
China will build an open, modern and efficient international road system by 2020 to facilitate international transport and strengthen connectivity among countries along the Belt and Road.
– News on December 6
From: Xinhua
China and Brazil Hold the 2ndConsultation on Human Rights
On December 6, 2016, China and Brazil held the 2nd consultation on human rights. Special Representative for Human Rights Affairs and Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences of the Foreign Ministry Liu Hua and Director of Department for Human Rights and Social Issues of the Foreign Ministry Alexandre Ghisleni of Brazil co-chaired the consultation. State Ethnic Affairs Commission sent representatives to attend the consultation.
–News on December 6
From: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
China-Germany Forum on Human Rights Development Held in Beijing
The 2016 China-Germany Forum on Human Rights Development was held in Beijing on December 8,2016.
Human rights experts from China and Germany gathered to discuss issues regarding peaceful development and the protection of human rights.
–News on December 8
From: Xinhua
Human Rights Research Institute Established at NWUPL
Northwest University of Political Science and Law (NWUPL) officially launched its Human Rights Research Institute on December 8, 2016.
–News on December 8
From: chinahumanrights.org
China, US Improve Cooperation in Cybersecurity
Chinese and US officials meeting in Washington on December 7,2016, the first day of a two-day bilateral cybersecurity dialogue, agreed to expand their collaboration, according to Chinese officials.
–News on December 9
From: China Daily
Human Rights Day 2016
On 10 December every year, the world commemorates the day in 1948 on which the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaiming its principles as the “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.”
–News on December 10
From: UNESCO
China Solicits Public Opinions on Community Corrections Act
The State Council Law Office released a draft on Community Corrections Act on December 11,2016, which started to solicit public opinions on Internet.
–News on December 11
From: chinahumanrights.org
China’s Aging Population to Reach Peak of 400 Million by 2055
It is estimated that China’s aging population will reach its peak of 400 million by 2055, with large numbers of the elderly in rural areas and a prevalence of female senior citizens, a recent report showed.
– News on December 13
From: People’s Daily Online
China Makes Education Standards for Disabled Students
The Ministry of Education has implemented compulsory education curriculum standards for special education schools for the blind, the deaf and intelligence training. This is the first systematic learning standards for disabled students since the establishment of People’s Republic of China.
– News on December 14
From: chinahumanrights.org
Report: China’s Ecology Improves from 2010 to 2014
From 2010 to 2014, China’s ecological civilization index kept increasing, according to a report issued by China Ecological Civilization Research and Promotion Association on December 18.
China’s ecological conditions have been improving since 2010, and entered a new stage of continuous improvement, according to China’s provincial ecological civilization evaluation report issued at the annual meeting of China’s Ecological Civilization Forum in Haikou.
–News on December 18
From: chinahumanrights.org
Yushu Releases Bilingual Social Security Cards
Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture started to issue 77,821 bilingual social security cards to residents on December 19,2016.
The Tibetan-Chinese social security cards have the dual functions of social security card and financial bank card. 300,000 more will be issued later.
–News on December 19
From: chinahumanrights.org
China a Great Contributor to World Biological Diversity
The 13th Conference of the Contracting Parties of Convention on Biological Diversity closed in Cancun on December 17, 2016.
It was announced at the conference that China will host the 15th Conference of the Contracting Parties of Convention on Biological Diversity in 2020.
–News on December 20
From: chinahumanrights.org
17th Anniversary of Return to Motherland Celebrated in Macao
The government of Macao Special Administrative Region holds a reception to celebrate the 17th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland, in Macao, south China, December 20, 2016.
–News on December 20
From: Xinhua
China Passes Plan to Boost Health Services
On December 21,2016, China’s State Council passed a plan on health care and medical system reform for the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020).
Health care development is basic to the drive for a “Healthy China” and crucial to addressing people’s needs, said a statement released after a State Council executive meeting presided over by Premier Li Keqiang.
–News on December 21
From: Xinhua
Chinese Life Expectancy to Hit 77 by 2020
The average life expectancy for Chinese will reach 77 years by 2020, one year more than the figure in 2015, the health authority announced on December 23, 2016.
–News on December 24
From: Xinhua
CSHRS National Council Convenes First Conference
China Society for Human Rights Studies (CSHRS), a national human rights think tank, convened the first conference of its fourth national council in Beijing on December 23, 2016.
–News on December 26
From: chinahumanrights.org
CFHRD National Council Convenes First Conference
China Foundation for Human Rights Development (CFHRD) convened the first conference of its third national council in Beijing on December 23. More than 100 members and supervisors attended the conference.
–News on December 26
From: chinahumanrights.org
China Mulls New Regulation on Medical Disputes
China’s top legislature is considering a new regulation that would tackle the country’s surging doctor-patient disputes, which have led to violent confrontations targeting medical workers.
– News on December 26
From: People’s Daily Online
China Contributes to Over 70 Percent of Global Poverty Reduction
The number of Chinese people lifted out of poverty in the last 30 years accounts for more than 70 percent of the world's total, according to a blue paper on poverty reduction released on December 27, 2016.
–News on December 27
From: Xinhua
Over 13 Million New Jobs Created in 2016: Official
China created more than 13 million new jobs in cities this year as part of the efforts to stabilize a slowing economy, a Chinese official said.
– News on December 28
From: Xinhua
China Passes Education Development Plan
China’s State Council has passed a plan on educational development for the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020).
– News on December 29
From: Xinhua
January 2017
China’s Nutrition Program Benefits over 34 Million Rural Students
More than 34 million rural students have benefited from the Chinese government’s rural nutrition program since 2011, according to the Ministry of Education.
– News on January 1
From: Xinhua
China Issues Plan on Occupational Disease Prevention
The State Council issued a national plan on occupational disease prevention and treatment for the 2016-2020 period, which targets lung disease and chemical poisoning, according to a statement released on January 4, 2017.
– News on January 4
From: Xinhua
China Issues Blue Book on Fighting Corruption
The 6th blue book on China’s efforts to combat corruption and build a clean government was issued in Beijing on January 4, 2017.
– News on January 4
From: chinahumanrights.org
China Releases National Plan on Living Services Industry
By 2020, China will build a coordinated, convenient and green living services system for urban and rural residents, according to the 13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of Living Services Industry, released by China’s Ministry of Commerce on January 5,2017.
– News on January 5
From: chinahumanrights.org
2017 National Health and Family Planning Conference Held in Beijing
The 2017 National Health and Family Planning Conference was held in Beijing on January 5 and 6, 2017. Premier Li Keqiang and Vice-premier Liu Yandong gave important instructions to China’s health and family planning sectors.
– News on January 6
From: en.nhfpc.gov.cn
China Mulls Juvenile Protection Against Online Bullying
On January 6, Chinese authorities published a draft regulation protecting minors’ rights in cyberspace that includes remedies for online bullying.
– News on January 6
From: Xinhua
China to Extend Family Doctor Services in 2017
China is planning to extend family doctor services to 30 percent of its urban population and 60 percent of priority groups in 2017, according a top health official.
– News on January 7
From: Xinhua
China Issues Medical Reform Plan for 2016-2020
China’s State Council issued a plan on medical reform during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020) on January 9, 2017.
– News on January 9
From: Xinhua
Xi Presents China’s Top Science Award to Two Scientists
Chinese President Xi Jinping presents award certificates to physicist Zhao Zhongxian and pharmacologist Tu Youyou, who won China’s top science award, at an annual ceremony held to honor distinguished scientists and research achievements in Beijing, capital of China, January 9, 2017.
– News on January 9
From: Xinhua
China Urges Efforts to Improve Workplace Safety
Chinese authorities reiterated efforts to improve workplace safety and prevent major accidents on January 11, 2017.
– News on January 11
From: Xinhua
China’s Experiences Expected at Davos
Chinese President Xi Jinping is now paying a state visit to Switzerland and will attend the 2017 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos and visit several international organizations.
Xi’s visit is expected to promote the recovery of the world economy, improve global governance and strengthen international cooperation.
– News on January 15
From: chinahumanrights.org
Xinjiang to Offer Free Bilingual Pre-School Education
Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region plans to build more bilingual kindergartens in its rural areas to promote three-year bilingual pre-school education for an extra 560,000 children.
– News on January 17
From: Xinhua
China to Build More Welfare Facilities during 2016-2020
China will build more welfare facilities to provide care services for juveniles in need, including “left behind” children, the top economic planner said on January17,2017.
– News on January 17
From: Xinhua
China to Take Proactive Employment Policies
China will take proactive employment policies from now to 2020 to create more jobs and support economic growth, the country’s cabinet, the State Council said on January 18, 2017.
– News on January 18
From: Xinhua
Chinese Net Users Top 731 Million in 2016: Report
China has 731 million Internet users as of December 2016, roughly the size of Europe’s population, according to a report released by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) on January 22, 2017.
– News on January 23
From: Global Times
Second-Child Policy Increases Births by 7.9 Percent
The universal second-child policy implemented early last year was a major factor in raising the number of births in China to 17.86 million last year, an increase of 7.9 percent and the highest annual number since 2000, according to the top health authority.
The number of newborns has increased by 1.31 million compared with 2015.
– News on January 23
From: Xinhua
China Issues Guideline Encouraging College Grads to Work in Grassroots
The central government has issued a guideline to encourage more college graduates to work at the community level.
The guideline, which was jointly issued by the General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and the General Office of the State Council, has been designed to involve college graduates in economic and social development.
College graduates will be encouraged to find employment in the modern seed industry, agrotechny, countryside tourism, rural e-commerce, rural cooperatives and water conservation projects, according to the guideline.
– News on January 24
From: Xinhua
China to Speed up Ethnic Regions Development
Chinese authorities have pledged to accelerate development of ethnic regions during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), as the country aims to create a moderately prosperous society by 2020, according to a State Council statement.
– News on January 24
From: Xinhua
Xi Pushes Poverty Alleviation
On January 24, 2017, President Xi Jinping pushed for increased efforts on poverty alleviation.
He stressed the importance of precision in the battle against poverty, saying that poverty alleviation should focus on targeted people and industries, and use the right tools to produce results.
Xi made the remarks during a tour of the city of Zhangjiakou in northern China’s Hebei Province, where he inspected an impoverished village, visiting and chatting with poor families, discussing how they could shake off poverty.
– News on January 24
From: Xinhua
China’s Population to Reach Peak of 1.45 Billion around 2030
China’s population is expected to peak at about 1.45 billion around 2030, according to the national population development plan for 2016-2030 released by the State Council, China’s cabinet, January 25, 2017.
– News on January 25
From: Xinhua
China’s Lunar New Year holiday to Become Global “Golden Week”
China’s week-long Lunar New Year holiday, which began on January 27, 2017, is set to become a “Golden Week” for overseas tourist destinations as this year more than 6 million Chinese chose to spend the holiday abroad.
The Lunar New Year holiday is usually a time for family reunions and celebrations, but now as more and more Chinese travel overseas, the China National Tourism Administration described it as a “global Golden Week”.
– News on January 27
From: Xinhua
