News-Clips (2019. 04-2019. 05)
April 2019
Regulation on production safety emergency response takes effect on April 1
A new regulation on China’s production safety emergency response will take effect on April 1, standardizing emergency response work systems, preparation and rescue.
According to the regulation, the State Council oversees national production safety emergency response work while local governments at the county level and above are responsible for rescue work for local incidents.
From: Xinhua
Top political advisor underlines supervision on poverty alleviation
Wang Yang, China’s top political advisor, asked non-Communist parties to enhance supervision on poverty alleviation projects at a meeting on April 1.
Over the past year, the central committees of non-Communist parties have launched careful reviews on poverty alleviation projects and achieved favorable results, said Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee.
From: Xinhua
China and the European Union (EU) Hold the 37th Human Rights Di-alogue
On April 1, 2019, Special Representative for Human Rights Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Liu Hua and Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Action Service Paola Pampaloni co-chaired the 37th Human Rights Dialogue between China and the European Union (EU) in Brussels.
Both sides exchanged views on such topics as new progress in the field of human rights, human rights and counter-terrorism, rights for refugees and immigrants, and international human rights cooperation.
From: MFA
China strengthens support for needy people
China’s central government budget financed over 840 billion yuan (125 billion U.S. dollars) for urban and rural basic living allowance, medical assistance, support for the extremely impoverished and temporary relief from 2013 to 2018, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs on April 2.
Average annual increase of urban and rural basic living allowance standards during the time frame were respectively 9.2 percent and 14.7 percent.
From: Xinhua
Health, education authorities step up intervention on child myopia
China’s health and education authorities on April 3 pledged to work together to control child myopia.
Health departments will help schools and parents to conduct targeted intervention, said Ma Xiaowei, head of the National Health Commission, at a meeting between the commission and Ministry of Education.
From: Xinhua
China to keep increasing assistance to needy people
The Chinese government will not reduce financial assistance to needy people but keep it increasing, said Minister of Civil Affairs Huang Shuxian at a national civil affairs conference that closed on April 3.
The priority in the near future is to increase the civil affairs service at the primary level and increase personnel at county, township and village levels, Huang said at the two-day meeting.
From: Xinhua
China to conduct tourism safety check and rectification
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has asked for tourism safety inspection and rectification across the country, it said on April 3.
Qualification of chartered vehicles and drivers has to be strictly examined. Tour agencies are urged to pay close attention to flood conditions. Fire safety checks will also be conducted in Class A scenic areas.
From: Xinhua
China sees closer partnerships between medical institutions of different levels
China sees shared regional medical resources and improved medical service capacity as part of its effort to promote partnerships between medical institutions of different levels across the country, the People’s Daily reported on April 6.
According to the National Health Commission (NHC), all public tertiary hospitals have participated in the building of medical partnerships. As a result, the flow of patients seeking medical care is reasonable.
From: Xinhua
Public security authorities to launch new measures enhancing traffic services
Public security authorities will launch 10 new measures to streamline administrative approvals, delegate power to lower levels and improve services, the Ministry of Public Security said on April 10.
The measures include inter-regional administrative procedure handling and streamlined rapid channels.
From: Xinhua
China targets actions hindering school-age children from receiving compulsory education
China’s Ministry of Education on April 11 vowed to target any action that hindered school-age children from receiving compulsory education.
Local education authorities were ordered to conduct a comprehensive investigation as soon as possible in the first half of 2019, according to a directive issued by the ministry.
From: Xinhua
China to mark national anti-cancer week
An array of activities will be held across China to mark the country’s 25th National Anti-Cancer Week between April 15 and 21.
Themed “Scientific Cancer Prevention,” this year’s publicity week aims to enhance public awareness and acceptance of cancer prevention, screening, early diagnosis and treatment to reduce social harm and disease burden, according to the National Health Commission (NHC).
From: Xinhua
Platform launched to enhance China’s community-level healthcare services
A capacity building platform designed for community-level healthcare services was officially launched on April 15 by the National Health Commission (NHC).
The report delivered at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China points out that community-level healthcare services should be improved and the work of general practitioners strengthened.
From: Xinhua
China to tighten supervision of medical insurance funds
Chinese authorities will tighten the supervision of the use of the country’s medical insurance funds to ensure the safety and efficiency of the funds, according to the National Healthcare Security Administration on April 15.
According to a draft regulation issued by the administration to solicit public opinions, the use of such funds must be put under strict supervision to protect the legitimate rights and interests of relevant parties.
From: Xinhua
Security education day extended to more students
Schools across China launched programs to raise awareness of national security issues on the country’s fourth National Security Education Day on April 15.
The programs included exhibitions, demonstrations and lectures.
From: China Daily
More than 1,000 officials held accountable over environmental issues
China held 1,035 officials accountable over environmental issues following the fourth round of investigation by central inspectors, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said on April 15.
The inspection team investigated eight provincial-level regions from August to September 2017, including provinces of Jilin, Zhejiang, Shandong, Hainan, Sichuan, Qinghai, Tibet Autonomous Region and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
From: Xinhua
Chinese lawmakers deliberate personality rights section in draft civil code
Chinese lawmakers on April 21 reviewed the draft section of personality rights of the civil code in panel discussions at the ongoing bimonthly session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.
They were in support of the draft, which is under its second reading, and noted the significance of this personality rights legislation.
From: Xinhua
China reports improved air quality in 2018: minister
Air quality in China continued to improve with reduced pollution, the country’s top environment official said on April 21.
In 338 Chinese cities, 121 met the air quality standards in 2018, said Li Ganjie, the country’s Ecology and Environment Minister, in a report submitted to China’s top legislature for review at its ongoing bimonthly session.
From: Xinhua
Foreign journalists from over 20 countries visit Xinjiang
The event “Entering the Core Areas of the Silk Road Economic Belt” organized by the State Council Information Office of China kicked off on April 22 in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
More than 30 journalists from over 20 countries including United States, Belgium, Turkey, Russia, kazakhstan visited Xinjiang to see for themselves the achievements of the region’s social and economic development.
From: en.humanrights.cn
Over 700,000 people in Yunnan cast off poverty in 2018
A total of 737,500 impoverished people from 27 poverty-stricken counties in southwest China’s Yunnan Province were lifted out of poverty last year, local authorities said on April 26.
The progress was attributed to a string of measures, such as creating job opportunities, developing industries, relocating people from inhospitable areas and offering allowances to the poor, elderly and sick.
From: Xinhua
China vows to improve quality of contracted family doctor services
The National Health Commission (NHC) has called for efforts to improve the quality of contracted family doctor services and enhance community-level medical services this year, according to an NHC circular on April 28.
Local health authorities are urged to help expand the coverage of contracted family doctor services while at the same time guarantee service quality.
From: Xinhua
May 2019
China announces guidelines to promote integrated urban-rural development
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council, or China’s Cabinet, on May 6 announced guidelines on the promotion of integrated urban-rural development.
China has made great headway in advancing urbanization and balancing development between rural and urban areas since the 18th National Congress of the CPC. However, barriers hindering integrated urban-rural development still exist.
From: Xinhua
Changes in hukou policies to enable easier flow of people
China’s efforts to reduce the barriers for hukou or household registration will encourage the free flow of people in the nation, and should not be construed as attempts to ease curbs on the real estate sector, the country’s top economic regulator said on May 6.
Chen Yajun, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission, said no matter how the household registration system is reformed, the principle that “houses are for living in, not for speculation” must be adhered to.
From: China Daily
China’s iconic revolutionary base Yan’an bids farewell to poverty
Yan’an, a former revolutionary base of the Communist Party of China (CPC), is no longer labeled “poor,” as its last two impoverished counties have shaken off poverty, the Shaanxi provincial government announced on May 7.
Yan’an hosted the then headquarters of the CPC and the center of the Communist revolution from 1935 to 1948. The city is now home to more than 350 sites related to the Chinese revolution.
From: Xinhua
Officials urged to create safe, stable society
President Xi Jinping urged the nation’s public security forces to fulfill their responsibilities and missions in the new era to create a safe and stable social environment that enables people to feel an even stronger sense of security.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remark at a two-day national conference on public security work, which concluded in Beijing on May 8.
From: China Daily
China has over 4 million registered nurses
The number of registered nurses in China exceeded 4 million at the end of 2018, rising to 3 nurses per 1,000 people, the National Health Commission (NHC) announced on May 8.
Registered nurses make up nearly 50 percent of the country’s healthcare professionals, said Jiao Yahui, an official with the commission, at a press conference ahead of International Nurses Day, which falls on May 12.
From: Xinhua
China strengthens disaster prevention, relief education
China will hold over 1,000 lectures on earthquake resistance and disaster relief nationwide this year as the country made persistent efforts on raising public awareness and capability of disaster reduction.
The lectures will be held in schools, government agencies, enterprises, communities and villages in forms including expert instruction, emergency first-aid training and evacuation drills, the China Earthquake Administration said on the launch ceremony of the lectures on May 12.
From: Xinhua
China’s food security can be ensured: report
China can achieve the bottom line requirement of “basic self-sufficiency of cereal grains and absolute food security,” said a senior agricultural expert on May 13.
“Food supply can ensure the construction of a moderately prosperous society in all aspects by 2020 and the basic realization of socialist modernization by 2035 in China,” said Mei Xurong, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, at the 2019 China and Global Agricultural Policy Forum held in Beijing.
From: Xinhua
China to fight against pneumoconiosis, safeguard labor health
China will fight against pneumoconiosis, which accounts for nearly 90 percent of all occupational disease cases in the country, said Li Bin, deputy head of China’s National Health Commission (NHC).
Li made the remarks at a press briefing held by the State Council Information Office on May 13, adding that people diagnosed with the disease are at an increasingly younger age.
From: Xinhua
239 million people covered by work-related injury insurance in China
The number of people covered by work-related injury insurance reached 239 million in China by the end of last year, including more than 80 million migrant rural workers, a senior official announced on May 13.
The insurance has ensured the work-related injury treatment of more than 400,000 workers with occupational diseases from 2014 to 2018, said Zheng Xuanbo, director of the work-related injury insurance bureau under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, at a press briefing.
From: Xinhua
Guangdong to fully open elderly care market
South China’s Guangdong Province abolished an old regulation on the market access of elderly care institutions to boost the development of the industry, local civil affairs authorities said on May 13.
A registration and filing system will be put into practice to replace the previous license system, which has been implemented since December 20, 2014, to lower the threshold for setting up elderly care institutions. Social sectors are encouraged to participate in the industry.
From: Xinhua
China calls for better infant care
China has called for improving infant care in the country during its campaign for the International Day of Families this year, which falls on May 15.
The campaign is aimed at implementing the guideline released last week by the State Council to pool social contributions for infant care services, said Yu Xuejun, deputy head of the National Health Commission.
From: Xinhua
China raises national compensation standard
The Supreme People’s Court (SPC) has raised the compensation standard for individuals wrongfully imprisoned or detained.
The new standard for national compensation, which came into effect starting Wednesday, has been set at 315.94 yuan (about 46 U.S. dollars) per day, up 31.2 yuan from the 2018 compensation standard, according to a circular issued by the SPC on May 15.
From: Xinhua
China to enhance financial support for targeted poverty alleviation
China will unveil various measures to promote financial targeted poverty alleviation, the central bank has said.
The country will improve the transmission mechanism of monetary policy, strengthen the management of refinancing and cut targeted reserve requirement ratio for inclusive financing, according to a guideline issued by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) on May 15.
From: Xinhua
4G technology boost for rural areas
China will shore up the growth of digital technology in rural areas to help spur vitalization and accelerate agricultural development, according to a guideline published on May 16.
The guideline, jointly issued by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, highlighted the importance of using information technology to improve the sense of gain, happiness and security among farmers.
From: Xinhua
Preparation underway for 29th National Day for Helping the Disabled
China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF) has called for publicizing innovation and experience of poverty alleviation and support for the persons with disabilities.
This initiative is to mark the 29th National Day for Helping the Persons with Disabilities, which falls on May 19.
From: Xinhua
China equips people with drug safety knowledge
A week-long campaign started on May 21 in Beijing to help to equip people with knowledge of drug safety via a series of activities.
The campaign, called “Drug, Science and Technology Week”, is being held by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), and includes activities like open days and public interest activities on campus.
From: Xinhua
Food safety aims for global goals
China plans to improve the standards for residues of pesticides and veterinary drugs in agricultural products, according to the country’s top decision-making bodies.
The revised targets were laid out in a guideline issued by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council on May 20, in a bid to address a large number of food safety risks and bolster its regulatory capability to “an advanced level on a global stage”.
From: China Daily
China to increase support for private hospitals to improve medical services
China will improve the sound development of private hospitals in a bid to increase medical service supplying and improve people’s wellbeing.
The decision was made at a State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on May 22.
From: Xinhua
Xinjiang injects 13 billion yuan into poverty alleviation projects
Northwestern China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has injected nearly 13.2 billion yuan (two billion U.S. dollars) into poverty alleviation projects since last winter, local authorities said on May 23.
The regional poverty alleviation and development office said that between last December and April this year, Xinjiang had allocated 13.2 billion yuan of special funds for poverty alleviation projects, up 81.7 percent year-on-year.
From: Xinhua
China to improve elderly care services
Chinese authorities have pledged to further improve the country’s elderly care facilities and to ensure the safety of facility residents.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs and three other authorities on May 23 announced at a joint meeting that they would push forward an ongoing four-year campaign on elderly care service improvement that started in 2017.
From: Xinhua
41 counties in Shanxi cast off poverty
Forty-one counties in north China’s Shanxi Province have shaken off poverty so far, the provincial government announced on May 25.
Among them are nine counties, including Lishi, Jiaocheng and Wanrong, which were recently removed the list of poor counties.
From: Xinhua
China improves child protection in poor areas
The Chinese government has strengthened protection of children left behind by parents who have migrated to work in cities, or those in poor areas, amid the country’s battle against poverty, a senior official said on May 27.
In 2019, the Ministry of Civil Affairs for the first time set aside 400 million yuan (58 million U.S. dollars) for children’s protection from the central assistance fund for people with financial difficulties, said Ni Chunxia, deputy director of the ministry’s child welfare department, at a press conference.
From: Xinhua
North China province sees progress in fight against pollution, poverty
North China’s Hebei Province has made significant progress in its fight against pollution and poverty.
Authorities in Hebei have made “unprecedented efforts” against pollution, with a variety of plans implemented to realize blue skies, clear water and clean soil, Wang Dongfeng, secretary of the Communist Party of China Hebei Provincial Committee, said at a press conference in Beijing on May 28.
From: Xinhua
China’s ecology, environment keep improving: report
China’s ecological and environmental quality kept improving last year, according to a report released by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment on May 29.
Some 338 cities enjoyed good air quality on 79.3 percent of days in 2018, up 1.3 percentage points from a year earlier, said the report.
From: Xinhua
China launches nationwide campaign for family education
A four-month nationwide campaign on family education kicked off on May 30 in Beijing.
The campaign, jointly initiated by China’s Ministry of Education and the All-China Women’s Federation, aims to build various connections between home and school and improve the quality of family education.
From: Xinhua
