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
June 2019
China publishes regulation on management of human genetic resources
The State Council, China’s cabinet, published a regulation on the management of human genetic resources that will take effect from July 1.
The regulation aims to enhance protection of human genetic resources, promote proper use and tighten regulation and supervision, said a State Council statement on June 10, 2019.
From: Xinhua
China to promote end-of-life care services
China has begun to pilot an end-of-life care program in Shanghai as well as over 70 other cities and municipal districts to promote such care services, according to the National Health Commission (NHC) at a press conference on June 10, 2019.
From: Xinhua
China strengthens performance management to accelerate public hospital reform
China has strengthened performance management to push forward the reform of public hospitals, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) on June 10, 2019.
In recent years, the country has gradually established a linkage mechanism between fund allocation and performance evaluation results of public hospitals, in order to improve the efficiency of hospital operation and the use of funds, said Fu Jinling, an official with the MOF.
From: Xinhua
Ecosystem protection benefits 1.4 million poor people in NW China province
Poverty alleviation policies related to ecosystem protection benefited more than 1.4 million people in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province last year, with their average income increased by 1,750 yuan (253 U.S. dollars) per person, local authorities said on June 10, 2019.
From: Xinhua
China to promote medical insurance payment based on diagnosis related groups
China will launch a pilot program of diagnosis-related groups (DRGs), a patient classification to standardize medical insurance payment, in 30 cities, according to a circular issued by the National Healthcare Security Administration, the People’s Daily reported on June 11, 2019.
From: Xinhua
China launches campaign to combat telecom fraud
Public security authorities across China have launched a campaign to crack down on telecom fraud until October 31, the Ministry of Public Security said on June 13, 2019.
A total of 44,000 telecom fraud cases were uncovered from January to May in 2019, it said.
From: Xinhua
Income tax reform increases personal disposal income
From January to April, China’s reforms on individual income tax, including raising the tax threshold and introducing additional deductions, helped cut tax by 214.3 billion yuan and exempted 99 million people from paying personal income tax.
From: People’s Daily Online
Xi sends congratulatory letter to Forum on Development of Tibet
President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 2019 Forum on the Devel-opment of Tibet that opened on June 14, 2019 in Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China.
The one-day forum, hosted by the State Council Information Office and the peo-ple’s government of Tibet Autonomous Region, gathers nearly 160 scholars and offi-cials from 37 countries and regions.
From: Xinhua
202 projects signed to help lift Tibet out of poverty
A total of 202 projects aimed at helping lift southwest China’s Tibet autonomous region out of poverty were signed on June 17 at a poverty alleviation meeting.
The projects, with an estimated investment of 21.5 billion yuan (about $3.1 bil-lion), cover a wide range of fields, including education, healthcare, relocation and employment and science and technology.
From: Xinhua
CSHRS delegation visits Germany, Irish
A delegation of the China Society for Human Rights Studies (CSHRS) visited Germany and Irish from June 12 to June 18. The delegation, headed by Qiangba Pun-cog, President of the CSHRS, held talks with parliament members, diplomats, schol-ars from think-tanks and universities.
From: en.humanrights.cn
China launches campaign to promote food safety
Chinese authorities have launched a national campaign to call for joint efforts to enhance food safety.
The China Food Safety Publicity Week is an annual event initiated in 2011. The campaign will last from June 18 to 30 this year and highlights making people’s life better via enhanced food safety. Over 50 activities such as exhibitions and training will be organized during the campaign.
From: Xinhua
China to improve people’s livelihood with intensified efforts
China will spruce up old residential communities in cities at a faster pace, complete the upgrading of rural power grids ahead of schedule, and make greater progress in ensuring the access to safe drinking water in rural areas, as part of the efforts to meet people’s aspirations and ensure and improve their livelihood.
The decisions were made at the State Council’s executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on June 19, 2019.
From: Xinhua
China to promote construction of child welfare infrastructure
China will push for the construction of child welfare infrastructure, according to a national work conference on child welfare held in Changsha, capital of central China’s Hunan Province, on June 20, 2019.
From: Xinhua
2019 China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights held in Austria
The “2019 China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights” co-sponsored by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and the Austria-China Friendship Association was held in Vienna, Austria on June 21, 2019. The theme of the seminar is “Comparison of Human Rights Values between the East and the West” and nearly 100 delegates from China and Europe attended the seminar.
From: en.humanrights.cn
Foreign diplomats to Geneva visit Xinjiang
Diplomats and representatives based in Geneva from 14 countries and an organi-zation visited Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from June 18 to 21 at the invita-tion of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
During the trip, the diplomats from countries including Algeria, Laos, Nigeria, Somalia and Tajikistan, as well as a representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), interacted extensively with local residents, farmers, teachers and students in various places across the region.
From: Xinhua
Heart disease screening, free surgery for poor children in Xinjiang
The Chinese Red Cross Foundation is helping children from poor families in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region receive free congenital heart disease screening and treatment, the foundation said on June 24, 2019.
From: Xinhua
Authorities allocate 360 million yuan for disaster relief in south China
The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Emergency Management on June 24 allocated 360 million yuan (52.6 million U.S. dollars) to three province-level regions in southern and eastern China that were affected by heavy downpours and floods.
From: Xinhua
China’s compulsory rehab centers treat 1.44 million drug addicts in 11 years
China’s compulsory rehabilitation centers have treated more than 1.44 million drug addicts over the past 11 years, according to a report issued by the Ministry of Justice on June 25, 2019.
From: Xinhua
Scholar shares in Geneva China’s experiences in poverty reduction
Poverty reduction through education has played a fundamental role in the Chinese miracle of lifting more than 700 million people from absolute poverty in the past 70 years, a Chinese scholar said in Geneva on June 25, 2019.
China’s success in poverty reduction lies in basic education, vocational education and higher education, said Dr. Shang Haiming from the Human Rights Institute at Southwest University of Political Science and Law, in his speech here at the ongoing 41st regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
From: Xinhua
China steps up policy support to areas of extreme poverty
China has concentrated efforts to assist areas of extreme poverty as the stated deadline to eradicate absolute poverty by 2020 approaches.
From 2018 to 2020, China’s central budget would allocate 214 billion yuan (about 31 billion U.S. dollars) to places including the Tibet Autonomous Region and parts of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region where abject poverty still persists, said Ou Qingping, deputy director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alle-viation and Development, at a press briefing on June 26, 2019.
From: Xinhua
Beijing bans gender discrimination against women in employment
Beijing has banned gender discrimination practices in recruitment to boost career opportunities for women, according to a document released on June 27, 2019.
No requirements for gender should be included in any recruitment plans or interviews, according to the document from the Beijing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau.
From: Xinhua
July 2019
Side -event on China’s human rights protection of ethnic minorities held in Geneva
During the ongoing 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council, a side-event themed on China’s human rights protection of ethnic minority groups is held in Geneva on July 2, 2019. Experts and scholars of the China Society for Human Rights Studies introduced the development of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Tibet Autonomous Region to the diplomats and officials of international organizations at the meeting.
From: en.humanrights.cn
China’s human rights protection achievements in Xinjiang hailed at UN side-meeting
During the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council, a side-event titled `Hu-man Rights Progress in Xinjiang, China` was held in Geneva on July 3, 2019, hailing China’s human rights protection achievements in Xinjiang.
From: en.humanrights.cn
Xinjiang’s greater progress depends on overall social stability: diplomat
A senior Chinese diplomat has stressed here that stability and security are indis-pensable to development and enjoyment of human rights, saying only under overall social stability can China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region achieve great progresses.
Addressing a side-event titled “Human Rights Progress in Xinjiang, China” on July 3, Chen Xu, head of the Chinese mission to UN at Geneva, told the audience that Xinjiang is enjoying its fastest development and greatest stability ever seen in its history.
From: Xinhua
China rolls out psychological care program targeting elderly
China has introduced a two-year pilot program to find out the psychological con-ditions and needs of senior citizens at the primary level, the National Health Commis-sion (NHC) announced on July 4, 2019.
Covering 1,600 urban communities and 320 villages, the pilot program targets permanent residents aged 65 or above, said Wang Haidong, director of NHC’s Department of Ageing and Health.
From: Xinhua
China to ensure all rural areas have medical doctors by end of 2019
China will make efforts to ensure that all rural areas in the country have medical doctors and healthcare institutions by the end of this year, the National Health Commission announced at a press conference on July 9, 2019.
The country aims to enable patients with common and chronic diseases to receive diagnosis and treatments at primary-level healthcare institutions in counties, townships and villages.
From: Xinhua
China to protect rural left-behind children from cybersecurity threats
China launched a campaign to protect left-behind children in rural areas from Internet security threats on July 10, 2019.
Co-organized by China’s National Office Against Pornographic and Illegal Publications and tech giant Tencent, the campaign named “Bring Internet Security to Classrooms” will run from September to December and cover rural areas in over 10 provincial-level regions.
From: Xinhua
China issues guideline to strengthen care for de facto orphans
China issued its first guideline to strengthen the work of protecting and supporting de facto orphans on July 10, 2019.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs announced the guideline, jointly issued by 12 gov-ernment agencies, at a press conference.
From: Xinhua
China effectively addresses illness-caused poverty
About 6.7 million families previously in poverty due to high medical bills have been lifted above the poverty line thanks to government financial aid, according to the National Health Commission (NHC) on July 15, 2019.
From: Xinhua
China to reduce oversized classes to improve education
China aims to eliminate “super-sized” classes that accommodate more than 66 students in primary and middle schools nationwide by the end of 2020, according to a guideline released on July 17, 2019.
From: Xinhua
China’s traffic management reform benefits over 800 million people
More than 800 million people have benefited from a nationwide reform to streamline public traffic services over the past year, according to the traffic management bureau of the Ministry of Public Security.
A total of 20 reform measures have been implemented and 10 new measures have been promoted by traffic management agencies nationwide since June last year, the bureau revealed at a meeting on deepening traffic management reform on July 17, 2019.
From: Xinhua
Xinjiang policy in the best interest of local ethnicities
That the United Nations ambassadors of 37 countries, mostly developing ones, released a letter on July 19 defending China’s policy in its Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is in striking contrast with the text signed by envoys from some developed countries denouncing China’s actions in Xinjiang.
From: China Daily
Xinjiang creates 350,000 jobs in the first half of 2019
Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region created a total of 353,400 new jobs for its residents in the first half of 2019, local authorities said on July 18, 2019.
The regional human resources and social security bureau said that from January to June, the region stepped up support to implement various policies to promote employment and gave priority to people living in impoverished areas in southern Xinjiang.
From: Xinhua
China issues white paper on historical matters concerning Xinjiang
The State Council Information Office issued a white paper on historical matters concerning Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China on July 20, 2019.
China is a unified multiethnic country, and the various ethnic groups in Xinjiang have long been part of the Chinese nation. Throughout its long history, Xinjiang’s development has been closely related to that of China, the white paper said.
From: Xinhua
Journalists from 24 countries visit Xinjiang
A group of journalists from 24 countries visited northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from July 14 to 22 at the invitation of China’s State Council Information Office.
They agreed that the Chinese government has made progress in cracking down on and preventing terrorism according to the law, safeguarding the religious freedom of its citizens, preserving traditional culture of minor ethnic groups and improving people’s livelihoods.
From: Xinhua
Garbage sorting key to healthy environment: disease control center
China’s promotion of garbage sorting is a key measure in building a healthy living environment for the public, said the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention on July 24, 2019.
From: Xinhua
China’s top court vows death penalty to child sex offenders of serious cases
China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) announced on July 24 that criminals committing sexual assault against children that are “extremely vile in nature” and cause “extremely severe consequences” will be sentenced to death with no leniency.
From: Xinhua
China issues white paper on protecting disabled persons’ rights, interests in 70 years
China issued a white paper on the country’s efforts to protect rights and interests of persons with disabilities in the past 70 years on July 25, 2019.
The white paper, titled “Equality, Participation and Sharing: 70 Years of Protecting the Rights and Interests of Persons with Disabilities in the PRC,” was released by the State Council Information Office.
From: Xinhua
China’s free cancer screening program benefits rural women
A large number of rural Chinese women have benefited from a national program that offers free cervical and breast cancer screenings in the past decade, the National Health Commission (NHC) said on July 25, 2019.
Nearly 100 million free cervical cancer examinations and more than 30 million breast cancer tests have been provided for rural women aged between 35 and 64 since the program was initiated in 2009, said Qin Geng, an official with the commission, at a press conference.
From: Xinhua
China reports less labor rights violations in the first half of 2019
China dealt with about 49,000 cases of labor rights violations in the first half of this year, down 25.2 percent from the same period last year, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said on July 25, 2019.
From: Xinhua
50 Countries Co-signed Letter to President of UNHRC and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Support of China’s Position on Xinjiang-related Issues
By 18:00 26 July, 50 Ambassadors to the UNOG cosigned a letter to the President of the UN Human Rights Council and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, voiced their support for China’s position on issues related to Xinjiang, China. Other countries expressed support in their separate letters and press releases. Many of them have seen the real situation in Xinjiang on recent visits.
From: FMA
China releases pardoned prisoners
The first group of prisoners, who were granted special pardons on June 29, have been released, according to a statement given to Xinhua on July 30, 2019.
The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, adopted a decision granting the special pardons to nine categories of criminals on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on June 29.
From: Xinhua
China spends over 8.6 billion yuan to support people in need
China had spent 8.61 billion yuan (1.25 billion U.S. dollars) to support people in special difficulties by the end of March 2019, the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) said on July 29, 2019.
More than 4.78 million people are living in difficult situations in the country, including the elderly, the disabled and minors who are incapable of working, have no source of income, and have no others to rely on for support.
From: Xinhua
Xinjiang lifts over 2 million people out of poverty in past five years
Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region lifted more than 2.31 million people out of poverty from 2014 to 2018 amid its all-out poverty relief efforts, regional authorities said on July 30, 2019.
The region’s poverty headcount ratio dropped from 19.5 percent in 2013 to 6.1 percent in 2018, with per capita disposable income of its rural residents surging from 119 yuan in 1978 to 11,975 yuan last year, said Shohrat Zakir, chairman of the Xinjiang regional government, at a press conference in Beijing.
From: Xinhua
August 2019
China to further raise pension benefits for retired soldiers
China will further increase pension and living subsidies for disabled veterans, Red Army veterans and families of martyrs starting Aug. 1, China’s Army Day.
Pension allowances for disabled soldiers, police officers and militia members, as well as families of martyrs and deceased soldiers, will be increased by 10 percent from last year, according to a statement jointly issued by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and the Ministry of Finance.
From: Xinhua
China sees progress in improving accessibility for disabled
China has registered progress in improving accessibility for persons with disabilities or physical challenges since the release of a set of regulations on the initiative in 2012.
Adopted by the State Council, the Regulations on the Building of an Accessible Environment took effect on Aug. 1, 2012.
China to install more elevators for persons with disabilities
The China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF) has called for further improving accessibility for the persons with disabilities, underlining the urgency to install more elevators.
A program was launched at a press conference on Aug. 2 in Beijing to push for the installation of more elevators for old residential buildings.
China to build child sex offender database
China’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) announced on Aug. 2 that a national database of child sex offenders will be established.
The SPP will also promote the building of relevant inquiry and restriction mechanisms for candidates seeking employment related to minors, said Shi Weizhong, a senior prosecutor with the SPP, at a video conference on inter-agency protection of rural left-behind children and children living in difficulties.
Employment training programs for disabled receive donation
The China Foundation for Disabled Persons (CFDP) received 1 million yuan ($144,500) of donation on Aug. 5 to sponsor employment training of persons with disabilities.
The donation was from a Beijing-based foundation attached to 58.com, which will jointly launch a charity program with the CFDP, the CFDP press release said.
43 Tibetan kids with heart disease to receive free treatment
Forty-three Tibetan children suffering from congenital heart disease will receive free surgery treatment in Zhengzhou, capital of central China’s Henan Province, according to the Chinese Red Cross Foundation (CRCF).
Together with the 7 th People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou, the CRCF initiated this congenital heart disease screening program in Shigatse, the second largest city in southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, from Aug. 1 to 5. A total of 206 children in the area received the screening.
China stipulates national standards for disability nursing home care
The standards, to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2020, apply to nursing home facilities for working-age persons with intellectual, mental and severe physical disabilities.
The standards include service contents, requirements and procedures, as well as
Measures to improve lives, boost demand
China will take more measures, including improving services for people’s daily lives and encouraging cultural and tourism consumption, as part of efforts to better meet the need for consumer sector upgrades to further unleash the potential of domestic demand.
The decision was made on Aug. 7 at the State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang.
Beijing court sets up judicial education bases in schools
Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court has set up judicial education bases in three schools on Aug. 8 to strengthen protection for juveniles.
The court said it will organize various judicial activities, including law lectures and juvenile-related case sharing, with the Capital Normal University High School, High School Affiliated to Beijing Institute of Technology and Beijing Shijingshanqu Experimental Primary School through the bases.
Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has invested nearly 1.15 billion yuan (about 163 million U.S. dollars) to improve nutrition for rural students in the first half of this year.
The regional education department said on Aug. 12 that about 1.44 million rural students have benefited from the program, which aims to improve nutrition for rural elementary and middle school students, especially those living in poverty-stricken areas in southern Xinjiang.
China allocates 300 million yuan for Typhoon Lekima relief
China allocated 300 million yuan (42.73 million U.S. dollars) of central fiscal funds on Aug. 12 to help with rescue and relief work in three provinces affected by Typhoon Lekima.
A total of 150 million yuan was allocated to eastern China’s Zhejiang Province, following a 30-million-yuan relief fund previously given to the province, where Typhoon Lekima made landfall on Aug. 10, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM).
Chinese charity donates 50 water tanks to poverty-stricken area
A total of 50 water tanks are set to head for people in poverty-stricken regions in the city of Hechi, southern China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the China Siyuan Foundation for Poverty Alleviation said on Aug. 15.
The foundation was established by the Central Committee of China National Democratic Construction Association in 2007, to prompt enterprise engagement in poverty relief and other charity projects.
China releases white paper on vocational education and training in Xinjiang
China released a white paper on vocational education and training in Xinjiang on Aug. 16.
There are six chapters in the white paper: urgent needs for education and training, law-based education and training, content of education and training, protection of trainees’ basic rights, remarkable results in education and training, and experience in countering extremism.
The white paper, published by the State Council Information Office, said that terrorism and extremism are the common enemies of humanity, and the fight against terrorism and extremism is the shared responsibility of the international community.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Aug. 19 stressed the importance of stabilizing employment while presiding over a symposium in Harbin, capital city of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province.
Employment is pivotal to people’s wellbeing. Governments should realize the arduousness of job creation and put stable employment at a more prominent position, Li said.
Relocated town in Kashgar gains access to power supply, better road conditions, health care
Once living in Kosirap Township in the remote area of Kunlun Mountains, 1,194 households were relocated to Tongan Township, 94 kilometers away from the original spot, in Aug. 2018. As a series of favorable measures were taken, the relocated town has gained access to power supply, better road conditions and health care. Furthermore, local authorities boost villagers’ income by attracting investment and developing courtyard economy. By the end of 2019, a total of 160 thousand farmers and herders in the poverty-stricken areas will be relocated to new houses subsidized by government on plain or near oasis.
Xi highlights significance of ecological civilization
President Xi Jinping encouraged efforts to protect the environment and biological diversity in a congratulatory letter on Monday to a forum on national parks.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that building an ecological civilization bears great significance in the development and progress of human civilization.
The first National Park Forum, themed “Establish the Mechanism of Nature Reserve Areas with National Parks as a Major Component”, opened on Aug. 19 in Xining, capital of Qinghai province.
Traditional Tibetan medical services available in 89 percent of Tibet’s township clinics
Traditional Tibetan medical services are available in 89 percent of township clinics in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, according to a forum on Tibetan studies held on Aug. 20.
Figures also showed that Tibet now has 43 public-funded healthcare institutions of traditional Tibetan medicine and 13 private-run hospitals of traditional Tibetan medicine.
Chinese authorities have promised to crack down on acts that disrupt school order and law-based settlement of disputes over school accidents in a guideline released on Aug. 20.
Such acts include attacking people, intentionally damaging public properties, putting up banners on campus, blocking school gates, and stalking school officials, according to the guideline jointly issued by five departments including the Ministry of Education, the Supreme People’s Court and the Ministry of Public Security.
Concern group against school bullying set up in Hong Kong
A concern group against school bullying was set up in Hong Kong on Aug. 21 amid the escalated violent acts from radical protesters in recent months.
The aim of setting up this group is to provide an extra channel for students and parents in need to report school bullying cases, said Chan Wing-Kee, convenor of the newly formed School Bullying Concern Group.
China vows to maintain stable drug prices
China’s National Healthcare Security Administration said on Aug. 22 that it will establish and improve a long-term mechanism for drug prices to ensure the supply of clinical medicines at reasonable prices.
The administration’s deputy head Chen Jinfu said at a press conference that measures including price monitoring, credit rating and legal punishment will be taken to make sure the drug prices are set reasonably by the pharmaceutical firms.
China plans to add 128 drugs to basic healthcare insurance
China plans to add 128 medicines to the list of those that are covered by basic healthcare insurance, according to the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA).
The new drugs are 109 modern medicines and 19 traditional Chinese medicines used in treating cancer, rare diseases, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and chronic illnesses like high blood pressure and diabetes, the NHSA said on Aug. 22.
The long-lasting unsolved problem of gun violence in the United States has aggressively trampled on human rights
The China Society for Human Rights Studies on Aug. 24 issued an article titled “The Long-Lasting Unsolved Problem of Gun Violence in the United States Has Aggressively Trampled on Human Rights.”
Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has seen marked drop in the number of families in poverty due to medical bills, thanks to government health care programs, according to the regional health authority on Aug. 26.
There were 40,000 families in poverty due to medical bills in Xinjiang at the beginning of Aug., which was 22,000 fewer than the previous year, Mutalifu Rouzi, director of the health commission of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
China strengthens compulsory education support for poor students
The Ministry of Education (MOE) and the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development recently released a work plan to support compulsory education and promote education poverty alleviation, the MOE said on Aug. 29.
According to the plan, children of school age from impoverished families should not drop out of school and should be guaranteed affordable education.
September 2019
China will unswervingly implement a strict intellectual property protection system and continuously build a satisfactory innovation and business environment, said the head of the National Intellectual Property Administration (NIPA) on Sept. 2.
Strengthened security urged at nation’s schools
The education supervision office under the State Council, China’s Cabinet, has issued an urgent circular asking education authorities, kindergartens, and elementary and secondary schools across the country to strengthen campus safety measures after eight students were killed at a primary school in Hubei province on Sept. 2.
China regulates educational apps
China’s Ministry of Education joined seven other governmental departments to roll out a guideline on the use of educational apps in schools, following consideration of teacher and parent opinions, according to a news conference in Beijing on Sept. 5, 2019.
An international seminar on anti-terrorism, de-radicalization and human rights protection was held in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Sept. 6, 2019.
Over 60 experts and scholars from 18 countries and international organizations including France, India, Turkey, Afghanistan and China attended the seminar, sponsored by the China Society for Human Rights Studies.
Foreign scholars applaud China’s anti-terror efforts
Many foreign scholars who visited the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region said the efforts made by the local government in combating and preventing terrorism are effective, and could be learned by other countries.
They positively viewed the local measures taken to deal with these challenges, and called for further international cooperation in counterterrorism and de-radicalization.
From Sept. 4 to 6, more than 60 scholars from the Advisory Committee of Human Rights Council of the United Nations and 17 countries including Serbia, Sri Lanka, France, Indonesia and Italy attended the International Seminar on Counterterrorism, De-radicalization and Human Rights Protection, which was organized by the
Xinjiang, as a core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt, is enjoying the best period of prosperity and development in its history under the Belt and Road Initiative, which is undoubtedly the biggest achievement in the region’s fight against terrorism as well as the best answer to the protection of human rights in China, a senior Chinese
Jiang Jianguo, vice minister of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said that in the fight against terrorism and extremism, Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region had set up vocational education and training centers in accordance with the law to eliminate terrorism and religious extremism, and that these centers are a “useful experience,” all about the “protection of human rights.” These comments were made at the opening ceremony of the International Seminar on Counter-terrorism, De-radicalization and Human Rights Protection on Sept. 6.
Officials say China makes great human rights achievements over 70 years
China has made great achievements in human rights over the past 70 years, officials said on Sept. 9 during the opening ceremony of a human rights exhibition.
China’s economy and society are growing more robust, Chen Xu, head of the Chinese mission to United Nations (UN) at Geneva, said at the opening ceremony of the exhibition titled “Pursuing Happiness for the People: 70 Years of Human Rights Progress in China” at the Palais des Nations.
The exhibition, jointly sponsored by China’s State Council Information Office and the Permanent Mission of China to UN at Geneva, captures 70 years of happy moments in the country since the People’s Republic of China was founded in October 1949.
China to deepen efforts in integrating medical, elderly care
The Chinese government will deepen the integration of medical and elderly care by streamlining approval procedures, providing favorable tax and fee policies, and developing insurances for such integrated services, in an effort to better meet the needs of senior citizens for health and aged care.
The decision was made on Sept. 11, 2019 at the State Council’s executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang.
Women representative condemns violent unlawful acts in Hong Kong at UN session
Pansy Ho Chiu-king, chairperson of the Hong Kong Federation of Women, on Sept. 11 condemned the “increasingly escalating violent acts” in the Chinese city.
In an oral statement delivered at the ongoing 42 nd session of the UN Human Rights Council here in Geneva, Ho said that since June 6, HK people have been plagued with over 130 protests in which 110 ended in unprovoked violence and unlawful acts, driving hundreds of small businesses to close down and many workers
Diplomats from African countries visit Xinjiang
A delegation from 16 African countries and the African Union visited Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region from Sept. 9 to 12 at the invitation of the regional government.
Diplomats from countries including Burundi, Uganda, Lesotho, Sudan and Zimbabwe went to the cities of Urumqi and Turpan, where they visited communities, mosques and companies.
They praised the Chinese government’s efforts to promote social harmony, safeguard citizens’ freedom of religion and inherit the traditional culture of ethnic minorities, saying that China and African countries should strengthen exchanges and cooperation in combating terrorism and eliminating extremism.
China’s National Health Commission (NHC) on Sept. 16 pledged to enhance medical service safety and better protect patients’ health rights ahead of the first World Patient Safety Day that falls on Sept. 17, 2019.
The slogan of the day in China will be “Patient safety involves everyone,” aiming to draw the attention of hospital staff, patients and their families as well as the public to patient safety and encourage them to make joint efforts, said Zhou Changqiang, an official with the NHC at a press conference in Beijing.
China sees steady employment in January to August
China’s job market remained generally stable in the first eight months of the year, with the number of newly created jobs achieving 89.5 percent of this year’s target.
A total of 9.84 million new urban jobs were created during the January-Aug. period, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Sept. 16, 2019.
China sees progress in integrating medical, elderly care
China has made significant progress in deepening the integration of medical and elderly care, according to a press conference held by the National Health Commission (NHC) on Sept. 17, 2019.
Currently, China has nearly 4,000 institutions providing integrated medical and elderly services, while over 20,000 medical institutions have established contracted cooperation with elderly care institutions.
China publishes white paper on progress of women’s cause in 70 years
China issued a white paper on the progress of women’s cause in the past 70 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China on Sept. 19, 2019.
The white paper, titled “Equality, Development and Sharing: Progress of Women’s Cause in 70 Years Since New China’s Founding,” was released by the State Council Information Office.
From: Xinhua
China issues white paper on human rights progress over 70 years
China published a white paper on its progress in the field of human rights over the past 70 years on Sept. 22, 2019.
The white paper, titled “Seeking Happiness for People: 70 Years of Progress on Human Rights in China,” was released by the State Council Information Office.
MFA: Enabling 1.4 billion people to live a happy life is China’s greatest contribution to the 2030 agenda
Enabling 1.4 billion people to live a happy life free from poverty, hunger and displacement in a land of 9,600,000 square kilometers is China’s greatest contribution to the global implementation of the 2030 agenda, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a regular press conference on Sept. 24, 2019.
China says measures in Xinjiang blocking terrorism
China’s de-radicalization measures in Xinjiang have proven effective and are preventing terrorism, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sept. 25 at the United Nations.
Wang spoke about preventive counterterrorism and de-radicalization measures that China has been taking in the western region of Xinjiang during a ministerial-level debate in the Security Council on cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations in maintaining international peace and security.
Chinese people’s livelihood greatly improved in 70 years
The Press Center for the Celebration of the 70 th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) held a press conference on the improvement of people’s livelihood over the past 70 years on Sept. 26, 2019.
With the development of the country, Chinese people have witnessed great improvement in daily lives, including education, job employment, social welfare, healthcare and housing conditions, according to officials attending the press conference.
China Focus: White paper published to enhance understanding of China’s development
China published a white paper, titled “China and the World in the New Era,” to help the international community better understand China’s development on Sept. 27, on the occasion of the 70 th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Issued by the State Council Information Office, the white paper systematically introduced China’s achievement and path of development, as well as where China is going, according to Xu Lin, director of the State Council Information Office.
China enhances crackdown on environmental violations: official
China’s revised environmental protection law has effectively enhanced the crackdown on environmental violations, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE).
China to further improve nutrition for rural students
Chinese authorities require further strengthening the nutrition improvement program for rural students in compulsory education, according to a circular released on Dec. 4.
The circular, issued by five state organs including the Ministry of Education, demanded school officials accompany students to school meals as a way of ensuring food safety. Schools should also invite parents to accompany students to school meals if the facilities permit, it added.
China to take multi-pronged measures to keep employment stable
China will take robust and multi-pronged measures to ensure that employment remains stable. The government will scale up support for flexible employment, boost job opportunities for people with disabilities, and tackle the stubborn issue of wage arrears affecting migrant workers with legal means.
A host of steps was decided upon at the State Council’s executive meeting on Dec.4 chaired by Premier Li Keqiang.
China’s top legislature opposes U.S. House approval of Xinjiang-related bill
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, on Dec. 4 issued a statement, expressing strong indignation over and firm opposition to the passing of a bill on Xinjiang-related issues by the U.S. House of Representatives.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the so-called “Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019,” or the UIGHUR Act of 2019, on Dec. 3 local time, maliciously attacking the human rights conditions in Xinjiang, slandering China’s de-radicalization and anti-terrorism efforts, making groundless accusations against the Chinese government’s Xinjiang policies and grossly interfering in China’s internal affairs, according to the statement.
China urges U.S. to stop double standards on anti-terrorism
China warned on Dec. 4 if the United States continues to play with double standards on anti-terrorism or even try to infringe upon other countries’ sovereignty and security, it will end up swallowing a bitter fruit with its own interests harmed.
China allocates lottery funds for poverty alleviation
The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has allocated 2.06 billion yuan (about 292.1 million U.S. dollars) of central lottery public welfare funds to support poverty alleviation in old revolutionary base areas.
The funds allocated will mainly be used for the construction of public welfare facilities in poverty-stricken villages of old revolutionary base areas, the MOF said on Dec. 5.
Chinese gov’t solicits expertise for aged care services
China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs is recruiting experts in the field of elderly care services to promote the healthy development of the sector and better cope with an aging population.
Personnel engaged in theoretical and policy research or practical aged care services in central and state organs, their affiliated policy research institutions, Party schools, institutions of higher learning and local civil affairs departments, among others, are eligible to apply, the ministry’s elderly care service bureau said in a statement on Dec. 10.
Enormous water project benefits over 120 million people
More than 120 million people in northern China have benefited from the world’s largest water diversion project, which transfers water from the Yangtze River in the south to the drought-prone north, authorities said on Dec. 12.
Since coming into operation, the middle and eastern canals of the project have transferred nearly 30 billion cubic meters of water to over 40 cities and 260 counties in northern China, Vice-Minister of Water Resources Jiang Xuguang said at a news conference organized by the State Council Information Office.
NE China province to increase nurseries for children under 3
Northeast China’s Jilin Province recently introduced a new policy to encourage kindergartens, employers and resident communities to establish nurseries for children under three, local authorities said on Dec. 14.
The move is to further support the full implementation of the two-child policy and meet the needs of parents for childcare services, according to the Health Commission of Jilin Province.
China’s employment stable in first 11 months
China’s job market remained generally stable in the first 11 months of the year, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Dec. 16.
A total of 12.79 million new urban jobs were created during the period, exceeding this year’s target of creating over 11 million urban jobs, according to the bureau.
China to connect all townships, villages with paved roads by end-2019
All Chinese townships and administrative villages are expected to be connected by asphalt or cement roads by the end of this year, said an official with the Ministry of Transport (MOT) on Dec. 17.
As of Sunday, there was only one township and one administrative village in southwest China’s Sichuan Province that had yet to finish the construction of paved roads, which were expected to be completed by the end of the year, said Sun Wenjian, spokesperson for the ministry.
China’s pork supply, demand to balance for the Chinese New Year
China’s pork market may beat expectations with balanced supply and demand during the upcoming Chinese New Year, said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) on Dec. 17.
Increased pork import, stacked hogs to hit shelves and reserved pork released from government and commercial inventory will expand supply for the staple meat during the holidays, Wang Junxun, a senior official with the MARA, told a press conference.
China to ensure smooth Spring Festival travel rush
China will take multiple measures to ensure smooth travels during this year’s Spring Festival, said China’s top economic planner on Dec. 18.
About three billion trips are expected to be made during the 2020 Spring Festival travel rush between Jan. 10 and Feb. 18, according to a document on the website of the National Development and Reform Commission.
China unveils 10 major steps forward in child welfare, protection in 2019
Two Chinese institutions have released a list of 10 major events in 2019 regarding progress made in child welfare and protection, China Youth Daily reported on Dec. 19.
The 10 events, marking several “firsts” and the establishment of industrial standards, were published by the China Association of Social Welfare and Senior Service and the Family and Child Research Center of Beijing Normal University.
Chinese police to start six-month crackdown on sexual offences against minors
Chinese police plan to launch a six-month crackdown on sexual offenses, especially those involving minors, in 2020 amid intensifying efforts on child protection, a senior official with the Ministry of Public Security announced on Dec. 20.
Chinese police will pilot a streamlined method of evidence collecting in sexual assault cases in the interest of underage victims and their privacy, said Gong Zhiyong, deputy director of the ministry’s criminal investigation bureau, at a press conference.
China speeds up renovation of dilapidated rural houses
China’s housing authorities on Dec. 23 pledged to speed up efforts to renovate dilapidated rural houses as the deadline to eradicate absolute poverty by 2020 approaches.
China will ensure that renovation work on 1.35 million dilapidated rural homes will be completed in 2020, Wang Menghui, minister of housing and urban-rural development, said at a work conference.
China installs 22,300 toilets at tourist destinations in 2019
A total of 22,300 toilets were installed or renovated at tourist destinations in China this year, accounting for 117 percent of the annual target, said the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) on Dec. 24.
The number of newly installed or upgraded tourist toilets has reached 52,600 since 2018, or 89 percent of the 2018-2020 target, said Li Hong, an official with the MCT.
China spends 80 billion USD on people in need since 2016
China’s central fiscal allocated 561.8 billion yuan (about 80 billion U.S. dollars) to help people in need from 2016 to 2019, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said in a report on Dec.25.
The funds were used to help people in extreme poverty, orphans, and the homeless, among others, said the report on China’s social assistance work.
China aims to ensure safety of Spring Festival travel rush
China’s Ministry of Public Security on Dec. 25 unveiled measures to guarantee safe and smooth transport during the upcoming travel rush for the Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year.
The ministry has asked police departments across the country to clear hazards of law violations by strictly controlling high-risk vehicles, as well as dealing with speeding, overloading and driving under fatigue.
China’s fiscal spending on environmental protection sees fast growth: minister
China’s fiscal expenditure on ecological and environmental protection saw fast growth in recent years as the government stepped up efforts to fight against pollution.
From 2016 to 2018, the fiscal spending in the sector amounted to 2.45 trillion yuan (about 349.67 billion U.S. dollars), according to Finance Minister Liu Kun, who delivered a report on Dec. 25 at the ongoing bimonthly session of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee.
China’s tax and fee cuts reach 1.96 trillion yuan in Jan.-Oct.
China’s massive tax and fee cut measures saved enterprises and individuals over 1.96 trillion yuan (about 280.73 billion U.S. dollars) in the first 10 months of the year, an official said on Dec. 25.
Entrusted by the State Council, Minister of Finance Liu Kun briefed Chinese lawmakers on a report on tax cuts and fee reduction work at the third plenary meeting of the ongoing bimonthly session of the country’s top legislature.
China sees improved air quality: official
China has seen notable improvement of air quality in key regions thanks to its efforts in air pollution control since the beginning of the year, environmental authorities said on Dec. 26.
In the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and surrounding regions, the number of days with good air quality in November jumped 18.6 percentage points year on year to 63 percent, data from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) showed.
China to strengthen judgment enforcement in unpaid wages for migrant workers
Chinese courts will further strengthen the enforcement of court judgments with cases involving unpaid wages for rural migrant workers, according to China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) on Dec. 31.
Aiming to protect the legitimate rights and interests of rural migrant workers, people’s courts at all levels are required to take effective measures to help root out non-payment of wages, including an improved one-stop litigation service mechanism and a green channel to facilitate litigation services in related cases, the SPC said in a circular.
