January 2020
China enforces new national medical insurance catalog
China’s new national medical insurance catalog came into effect on Jan. 1, including 70 new drugs with their prices slashed by 60.7 percent on average.
Eight domestically-produced drugs that are seen as “major innovations” and have just hit the market in recent years are among the new additions, according to the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA).
From: Xinhua
China to promote occupational skill ranking system
China will phase out all performance-based qualifications for skilled personnel and pursue an occupational skill ranking system to train market-oriented skilled workers.
Qualification evaluations will be rolled out by related organizations and employers, said Tang Tao, deputy head of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, at a routine news briefing on Jan. 2.
From: Xinhua
China’s Ministry of Justice helps tackle unpaid wages of migrant workers
China’s Ministry of Justice has advanced public legal services to help address unpaid wages of rural migrant workers as the peak season for claiming arrears, which is around the Spring Festival, approaches.
The ministry and other institutions have initiated a legal assistance campaign, sending lawyers, grassroots-level legal workers and legal assistance volunteers to factories and communities to provide legal counseling services to migrant workers, according to a press conference on Jan. 2.
From: Xinhua
China makes headway in poverty relief through culture, tourism
China made solid progress in reducing poverty through the promotion of culture and tourism in poor areas in 2019, said the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
A series of programs have been implemented such as funding cultural activity facilities in poor villages and bringing traditional Chinese opera performances to the countryside to enrich villagers’ lives, according to a national meeting on culture and tourism held from Jan. 3 to Jan. 4.
From: Xinhua
China to strengthen tax and fee cut efforts in 2020
China will take further steps in 2020 to consolidate and expand its achievements in cutting taxes and fees, according to the State Taxation Administration.
More efforts will be made to further optimize the tax business environment, improve tax administration efficiency, and deepen international tax cooperation, the authority said on its website after the national tax work conference held on Jan. 6.
From: Xinhua
Tibet builds, upgrades 43,000 km of rural roads in 5 years
Southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region has built or renovated a total of 43,400 km of rural roads over the past five years, local authorities said on Jan. 7.
The regional government has invested 95.7 billion yuan (around 13.7 billion U.S. dollars) over the period in paving modern roads to 2,276 villages, according to the regional transport department.
From: Xinhua
Tibet basically eliminates absolute poverty
China’s Tibet Autonomous Region has basically eradicated absolute poverty, chairman of the regional government announced on Jan. 7.
The feat was accomplished after Tibet lifted the remaining 150,000 people out of poverty and took 19 counties off the poverty list in 2019, said Qizhala in his government work report delivered at the third session of the 11th People’s Congress of Tibet Autonomous Region.
From: Xnhua
Tibet advances toilet revolution
Tibet Autonomous Region has built and renovated 1,909 public toilets in the past three years, the region’s housing and urban-rural development department said on Jan.8.
Tibet began to push forward its “toilet revolution” in 2017 to increase the number and raise the standard of toilets at tourist sites and other public places.
From: Xinhua
China to establish infant care service system
A set of standards and norms on the care of infants under three will be promulgated in China, China Women’s News reported on Jan. 10.
The government will initially establish the infant care service system with policy support and standards in 2020, aiming to make infant care services more professional and regulated, said the newspaper.
From: Xinhua
China to step up meteorological efforts in support of agriculture, poverty relief
The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) named improving weather services for agricultural causes and poverty relief as one of its key tasks for 2020.
To promote rural vitalization and help eradicate absolute poverty, the country will step up the building of a modern meteorological system that serves agricultural development, said the CMA during an annual work conference opening on Jan. 11.
From: Xinhua
China rolls out first national standard on senior care
China has rolled out its first set of mandatory national standards in the field of senior care to provide bottom-line requirements for service quality of the sector.
It outlines requirements for the qualification, assessment of safety risks and management of senior care organizations, said Tian Shihong, deputy head of the State Administration for Market Regulation, at a press briefing on Jan. 13.
From: Xinhua
China to strengthen fight against environmental pollution in 2020
China’s top environmental watchdog has reiterated its ambition to fight environmental pollution in 2020, as positive results have been reaped through efforts to clean up the environment in the past year.
“Practice has proved that the current direction and path of pollution control are correct and should be adhered to and improved in the long run,” said Li Ganjie, minister of ecology and environment, at the ministry’s two-day annual work conference which ended on Jan. 13.
From: Xinhua
China’s registered urban unemployment rate within target in 2019
China’s employment market remained stable with the registered urban unemployment rate standing at 3.62 percent at the end of 2019, well below the government’s annual target of 4.5 percent, an official said on Jan. 14.
Lu Aihong, spokesperson of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS), said at a press conference that 13.52 million new urban jobs were created last year, much higher than the target of 11 million.
From: Xinhua
Beijing improves infrastructure in densely populated communities
Beijing has forged ahead with improving infrastructure, public service and greenery in its densely populated Huilongguan and Tiantongyuan communities in the northern Changping District, local authorities said on Jan. 15.
The city unveiled a three-year action plan in August 2018 investing some 20 billion yuan (about 2.9 billion U.S. dollars) in the area, which covers 63 square km and has about 863,000 permanent residents.
From: Xinhua
China’s first psychological aid center for police opens in Beijing
China’s first center offering psychological aid for police officers opened in Beijing on Jan. 16, the capital’s Public Security Bureau said.
The center will help alleviate the pressure police are under because of their workload and solve their psychological problems, especially if they are harmed while enforcing the law, the bureau said in a statement.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
China honors grassroots role models of the year
Ten individuals or groups were honored as 2019 role models on Jan. 16 at an award ceremony in Beijing held by Xinhua News Agency.
Among the laureates was Eli Niyaz, a forest ranger in Yuli County, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, who has devoted himself to protecting the trees for over 26 years. Other laureates include a woman who saved her father by giving skin grafts, a couple who helped a sick hairdresser, a food delivery worker who has only one hand and one leg, a firefighter who removed four burning gas tanks from a warehouse fire, and a group of voluntary teachers.
From: Xinhua
China registers stable employment in 2019
China’s job market remained stable in 2019, with all related indicators meeting the annual goals, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Jan. 17.
A total of 13.52 million new urban jobs were created last year, exceeding the target of creating over 11 million urban jobs, NBS data showed.
From: Xinhua
China helps over 10,000 people find their families in 2019: ministry
China’s civil affairs authorities helped 10,195 people find their families in 2019, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said on Jan. 19.
The ministry carried out trial work of facial recognition at rescue centers around the country, requiring all of those without clear identification be reported to police for DNA collection, said Wang Jinhua, a ministry official, at a press conference.
From: Xinhua
China allocates subsidies to over 13 million people with severe disabilities: ministry
China has allocated care subsidies to over 13 million people with severe disabilities by the end of November 2019, amid the country’s continuous efforts to improve its subsidy systems for the disabled, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
About 10.3 million disabled people were provided with living subsidies across the country during the same period, said Wang Jinhua, director of the ministry’s social affairs department, at a regular press conference held on Jan. 19.
From: Xinhua
China handles 69,000 public interest lawsuits involving environment, resources protection
Chinese procuratorates handled 69,000 public interest cases involving the protection of the environment and resources in 2019, up 16.6 percent year on year, Procuratorate Daily reported on Jan. 20.
The number of people prosecuted for crimes of damaging the environment and resources in 2019 went up about 15 percent from the year before, the report said.
From: Xinhua
Wuhan shuts down airports, railways to contain new coronavirus strain
The authorities of Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, have suspended all forms of public transport, including outbound trains and flights, as of 10:00 a.m. on January 23 to contain the spread of a new coronavirus that has caused the recent pneumonia outbreak, according to the Pneumonia Epidemic Control Headquarters of Wu-
han.
From: CGTN
China’s Wuhan to build another SARS treatment-model hospital
Wuhan, the center of a coronavirus outbreak in central China, will build a second SARS treatment-model makeshift hospital and put it into use in half a month, local authorities said on Jan. 25.
The hospital, named Leishenshan Hospital, is expected to add around 1,000 beds for the patients, according to the Wuhan headquarters for the control and treatment of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus.
From: Xinhua
February 2020
Chinese vice premier inspects newly-delivered hospital to combat coronavirus
Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, who leads a central government group to guide the epidemic control work in Hubei Province, inspects Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, Feb. 2, 2020. Entrusted by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Sun Chunlan inspected Huoshenshan (Fire God Mountain) Hospital, a newly-delivered hospital to combat coronavirus in Wuhan.
From: Xinhua
China’s No. 1 central document prioritizes poverty relief, improving rural weak links
Agriculture, rural areas and farmers’ issues remain China’s top priorities for the 17th consecutive year as this year’s “No 1 central document,” released on Feb. 5, stressed poverty alleviation and improving rural weak links.
As the first policy statement released by China’s central authorities each year, the document is seen as an indicator of policy priorities. This year it urged efforts on two main tasks — winning the battle against poverty and strengthening areas of weakness concerning agriculture, rural areas and farmers, as the country strives to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects this year.
From: Xinhua
WHO says new hospitals in China’s Wuhan remarkable effort, pays tribute to lab staff
The World Health Organization (WHO) said in Geneva on Feb. 5 that the construction of new hospitals in China’s city of Wuhan for novel coronavirus patients is a remarkable effort, while paying tribute to lab technicians who have been under huge workload of diagnosis and testing.
From: Xinhua
Xi stresses law-based infection prevention, control
President Xi Jinping called for greater legislative, law enforcement, judicial and law observance efforts to strengthen the capacity to carry out law-based infection prevention and control on Feb. 5, 2020.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the statement when presiding over the third meeting of the Commission for Overall Law-based Governance of the CPC Central Committee.
From: Xinhua
Charter flights bring home over 1,500 Hubei residents stranded overseas
China has dispatched 12 charter flights to fly more than 1,500 stranded Hubei residents home from overseas following the novel coronavirus outbreak, a civil aviation official said on Feb. 6, 2020.
From: Xinhua
Chinese UN envoy refutes U.S. accusations over counter-terrorism in Xinjiang
A Chinese UN envoy on Feb. 7 refuted accusations by the United States over China’s counter-terrorism efforts in its northwestern region of Xinjiang.
At a Security Council meeting on the threat posed by the Islamic State, Wu Haitao, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said the remarks by the U.S. representative regarding Xinjiang are “unwarranted.”
From: Xinhua
Collection of virus-related information should follow rule of law
Information collected for preventing and controlling the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak are not allowed to be used in any other situations, and the collection should be developed within groups of confirmed and suspected cases as well as those who had close contacts with the patients to avoid discrimination.
The collection requirements have been highlighted in a notice issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the country’s top internet watchdog, on Feb. 9,2020.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Xi Jinping vows to win people’s war against novel coronavirus
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee,stressed resolutely winning the people’s war against pneumonia epidemic caused by the novel coronavirus on Feb. 10, 2020.
Wearing a mask, Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited a residential community, a hospital and a district center for disease control and prevention in Beijing.
The inspection came at a time when many people outside the epidemic center of Hubei Province resumed work after an extended holiday.
From: Xinhua
China urges improved working conditions, care for medical staff
Chinese authorities have called for improving the working conditions and care for medical personnel at the frontline against the novel coronavirus pneumonia.
According to a circular jointly issued by the National Health Commission, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Ministry of Finance on Feb. 11, the payment of the allowance for medical workers should be guaranteed.
From: Xinhua
Over 59 million Chinese elderly covered with commercial health insurance
About 59.18 million elderly people in China are covered with commercial health insurance, with the penetration rate standing at 35.5 percent, said China’s top insurance regulator on Feb. 13, 2020.
Covering almost all types of insurance, over 2,400 insurance products are available for people aged 65 and above, according to the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission.
From: Xinhua
China’s Yunnan lifts 1.37 million people out of poverty in 2019
About 1.37 million people bid farewell to poverty last year in southwest China’s Yunnan Province, the local government said on Feb. 17, 2020.
According to the provincial poverty alleviation conference, 3,005 villages were no longer labeled poor as of the end of 2019, and the average income of farmers in poverty-stricken areas rose from 2,744 yuan (392 U.S. dollars) in 2013 to 9,249 yuan last year.
From: Xinhua
China stresses timely spring farming, stable employment
The State Council, China’s cabinet, stressed the importance of timely spring farming and a steady business environment for stable employment on Feb. 18.
Local governments should take responsibility for guiding spring farming to ensure stable agricultural production and a bumper harvest, according to a statement released after a State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang.
From: Xinhua
UN chief issues “call to action” on human rights
United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Feb. 24 issued a “Call to Action for Human Rights” at the 43rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council, which opened here on February 24 and will last until March 20.
The call singles out seven areas where concerted efforts could achieve a quantum leap in progress or avert the risk of backsliding, Guterres explained.
From: Xinhua
UN rights chief urges cooperative action for more equitable, sustainable world
United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Feb. 24 urged states to harness solutions and the power of cooperative action to ensure a more equitable and sustainable world.
Delivering a keynote speech at the opening of the 43rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council here, Bachelet stressed that the “human rights agenda offers guidance to resolve grievances and conflicts, improve lives and create greater justice,more peace and more sustainable development.”
From: Xinhua
Chinese authorities stress differentiated epidemic control strategies
Chinese authorities stressed precise and differentiated strategies in the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus epidemic on Feb. 24, 2020.
Measures should be taken based on different conditions in each region to combat the epidemic, according to a meeting of the leading group of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak, which was chaired by Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the leading group.
From: Xinhua
China stabilizes employment through various channels
China has rolled out policies to support enterprises to ensure existing jobs through measures like unemployment insurance and vocational training subsidies, assistant finance minister Ou Wenhan said on Feb. 24, 2020.
Besides, China has issued policies such as lower financing guarantee fees to alleviate the high financing costs of small and micro enterprises to help them cope with the epidemic, he said at a press conference.
From: Xinhua
China tightens management on elderly care institutions amid epidemic
Elderly care institutions in high-risk regions of novel coronavirus infection should suspend elderly people and staff from entering the facilities, according to a guideline issued by China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs on Feb. 25, 2020.
From: Xinhua
China achieves better gender equality over 25 years: envoy
The 43rd session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council held a high-level panel discussion on Feb. 25 commemorating the 25th anniversary of the “Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action” adopted at the 4th World Conference on Women in 1995. High-level representatives from more than 100 countries, diplomatic envoys in Geneva and representatives of international organizations attended the event.
From: en.humanrights.cn
All roads lead to human rights development
As there is more than one way to protect human rights, countries should respect the right of every country to choose its own path to achieve peace and development,said Chen Xu, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva,at the ongoing 43rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Feb.26, 2020.
From: en.humanrights.cn
China resolutely opposes groundless accusations on Xinjiang-related issues: Chinese envoy
A Chinese envoy in Geneva on Feb. 26 categorically rejected certain Western countries’ accusations against China on Xinjiang-related issues.
Chen Xu, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva,said at the ongoing 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council that the Chinese government has received more than 1,000 diplomats, officials of international organizations, journalists and religious leaders who visited Xinjiang, and they all concluded
that what they have seen in Xinjiang is quite the opposite of what is presented by some Western media.
From: Xinhua
Chinese academics share views on human rights progress at UN session
Chinese scholars shared their views on China’s progress in human rights and developments in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on the sidelines of the 43rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on
Feb. 27, 2020. Meanwhile, some countries at the international event continue to slander China’s Xinjiang policies.
Five academics, including three from Xinjiang, were on hand to share their personal stories and research on China’s progress in human rights protection from their perspectives on anti-terrorism, protecting ethnic culture, and novel coronavirus prevention efforts.
From: GLOBAL TIMES
Experts shed light on China’s human rights progress
Chinese human rights experts gathered in Geneva, Switzerland, on Feb. 27 to discuss the progress China has made with human rights protection amid lingering terrorist threats and the sudden novel coronavirus outbreak.
The conference, a sideline event at the 43rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, invited five scholars to share their observations and experience on China’s human rights development, including system construction, the fight against terrorism, research in ethnic group language and culture, as well as measures taken to control the virus outbreak.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Chinese scholars share view on human rights protection at UN session
A group of scholars from the China Society for Human Rights Studies on Feb. 27 shared their views on issues related to human rights protection on the sidelines of the ongoing 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council.
At a side event titled “Progress of Human Rights in China,” they introduced the country’s human right protection system, the history, culture and religions of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, as well as China’s efforts to protect human rights in the fight against the novel coronavirus.
From: Xinhua
China and like-minded countries call on UN rights chief to heed voice of developing countries
China on Feb. 27 delivered a joint statement on behalf of the like-minded countries (LMG) during the on-going 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, calling on the UN rights chief to continue to heed the voice of developing countries.
The LMG commends UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet for underscoring dialogue and cooperation with states, and hopes that the High Commissioner will continue to heed the voice of member states, in particular the developing ones, and advance all categories of human rights in a balanced way.
From: Xinhua
February 2020
China endeavors to ensure safety of campus, students amid virus out-break
China has postponed start of new school semester and encouraged students to study at home over safety concerns as the country fights a novel coronavirus outbreak that has infected over 40,000 people.
A series of measures will be taken to prevent the spread of the virus in colleges and universities, education officials said on Feb. 12.
From: Xinhua
Vice premier stresses stable employment amid epidemic
Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua has called for all-out efforts to ensure stable employment amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua has called for all-out efforts to ensure stable employment amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Hu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks on Feb. 13 at a teleconference on employment work amid the epidemic.
From: Xinhua
Xi stresses unremitting efforts in COVID-19 control, coordination on economic, social development
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Feb. 23 stressed unremitting efforts in the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic and coor- dination in advancing economic and social development.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when delivering an important speech at a meeting in Beijing to advance the work on coordinating the prevention and control of the COVID-19 and economic and social development.
From: Xinhua
Cooperation urged to promote global human rights development
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) opened its 43rd regular session in Geneva, Feb. 24, 2020. During the session, China held a series of activities including a photo exhibition titled “Home: A Glimpse of Life of People from Various Ethnic Groups in Xinjiang”, an international symposium on anti-terrorism, de-radicalization and human rights protection, and a thematic conference titled “Promoting Sustainable Development Goals by Chinese Nongovernmental Organizations”, in order to promote the international understanding of China’s human rights development.
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) opened its 43rd regular session in Geneva, Feb. 24, 2020. During the session, China held a series of activities including a photo exhibition titled “Home: A Glimpse of Life of People from Various Ethnic Groups in Xinjiang”, an international symposium on anti-terrorism, de-radicalization and human rights protection, and a thematic conference titled “Promoting Sustainable Development Goals by Chinese Nongovernmental Organizations”, in order to promote the international understanding of China’s human rights development.
From: Xinhua
Xi says China makes positive contributions to global public health security
Upholding the spirit of a community with a shared future for human beings, China has not only been doing its best to protect the lives and health of its own people, but made positive contributions to safeguarding global public health security, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Feb. 25 in a phone call with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
From: Xinhua
China says it welcomes UN human rights chief to visit Xinjiang
Chen Xu, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said on Feb. 26 that the country welcomes UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to visit its northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region this year.
Chen Xu, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said on Feb. 26 that the country welcomes UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to visit its northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region this year.
Speaking at the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, Chen said the Chinese government has received in Xinjiang over 1,000 diplomats, international organization officials, reporters and religious leaders of various countries, adding that China is willing to invite people to visit the region to see its development with their own eyes.
From: CGTN
UN human rights chief asks world to fight virus-related discrimination
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet urged the global community on Feb. 27 to show solidarity with people of ethnic Asian origin, who are being subjected to discrimination amid an outbreak of a novel coronavirus that started in China.
From: CGTN
China’s determination to fight against torture unwavering: envoy
China has submitted reports six times for the implementation of the Convention against Torture and conducted constructive dialogues with the UN Committee against Torture, and China’s determination to fight against torture is unwavering, a Chinese envoy said on Feb. 28.
China has submitted reports six times for the implementation of the Convention against Torture and conducted constructive dialogues with the UN Committee against Torture, and China’s determination to fight against torture is unwavering, a Chinese envoy said on Feb. 28.
During the interactive dialogue with the UN special rapporteur on torture at the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council, Liu Hua, special representative for human rights of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, reiterated that China opposes torture.
From: Xinhua
March 2020
Support urged for grassroots employees
A meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on March 2 underlined the key role of communities in epidemic control and prevention and rolled out steps to beef up support and care for community workers.
The meeting of the leading group of the Communist Party of China Central Committee on coping with the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak called for unrelenting efforts in containing the contagion, with efforts to step up control and prevention at community level.
From: China Daily
UN acknowledges China’s leading role in utilization of renewable energies: Diplomat
China on March 2 appreciated the comprehensive and pragmatic report submitted by the UN Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
The report introduced good practices of environmental protection in more than 170 countries, including China, according to Liu Hua, Special Representative for Human Rights of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, at the interactive dialogue held at the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council.
From: Xinhua
Seminar on immigrant children’s rights held in Geneva
The permanent mission of China in Geneva and the permanent mission of Venezuela in Geneva held a seminar on immigrant children’s rights at the Palais Des Nations, Geneva on March 2. The seminar focused on the infringement of the rights of
immigrant children in the US and called on the US to fulfill its obligations under the international human rights law.
From: en.humanrights.cn
Photo exhibition on Xinjiang launched in Geneva during UN Human Rights Council session
More than 100 pictures and videos presenting a beautiful, open, and richly-endowed Xinjiang were on display on March 2 inside the Palais Des Nations during the 43rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council.
The exhibition — “Home: Glimpse of People from Various Ethnic Groups in Xinjiang” — has three divisions with respective themes of peace and stability, cultural prosperity, and religious harmony.
From: Xinhua
China relocates 9.3 million poor people to more inhabitable areas
China has relocated 9.3 million poor residents to more inhabitable areas over the past four years, the country’s top economic planning body said on March 4.
Among them, 9.2 million residents have shaken off poverty, the National Development and Reform Commission said in a statement on its website.
From: Xinhua
China improves health education services for migrant workers
Chinese authorities have been improving health education services for migrant workers to strengthen their awareness and ability of epidemic prevention amid the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, an official said on March 7.
As China organizes transportation for migrant workers to return to work, multiple measures will be taken including body temperature monitoring before traveling, said Yang Wenzhuang, an official with China’s National Health Commission.
The return of migrant workers should be arranged in accordance with the different risk levels of various regions, Yang said, stressing that migrant workers do not need to pay for health certificates or tests and no extra financial burdens should be placed on them.
From: Xinhua
Xi extends solicitude to females fighting epidemic on Int’l Women’s Day
President Xi Jinping extended sincere solicitude to women fighting COVID-19 at frontline and in other fields on March 8, the International Women’s Day.
Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, also expressed holiday greetings to women of all ethnic groups and from all walks of life in the country.
From: Xinhua
Chinese envoy calls for ending human rights politicization
The 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council held a general debate on human rights situations on March 10.
To ensure all people enjoy human rights is a common ideal for humanity, and the Chinese people have been working hard towards it, said Liu Hua, Special Representative for Human Rights of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
From: en.humanrights.cn
Report indicates narrowing income gap between men, women in China
The overall salary of working women in China is 17 percent lower than that of men, but the income gap is rapidly narrowing, according to China Women’s News on March 12, citing the latest report on the employment status of Chinese women.
The report, jointly released by cnwomen.com.cn and a leading human resource service provider zhaopin.com, showed that the income gap between men and women has been narrowed from last year’s 23 percent to 17 percent based on this year’s survey
data.
From: Xinhua
Xinjiang to lift remaining 42,000 households out of poverty in 2020
Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region will eradicate absolute poverty in 2020 by lifting the remaining 165,800 people from 42,000 households out of poverty and taking 10 counties off the poverty list, according to a press conference on March 12.
The region will continue to promote a series of policies and measures, including poverty alleviation through industries, employment transfer and relocation of people from inhospitable areas, to ensure the employment and stable income of the impoverished group, it said.
From: Xinhua
China issues report on human rights violations in U.S.
China on March 13 issued a report on the human rights violations in the United States.
Titled “The Record of Human Rights Violations in the United States in 2019,” the report said the facts detailed in the document show that “in recent years, especially since 2019, the human rights situation in the United States has been poor and deteriorating.”
The report was released by the State Council Information Office based on published data, media reports and research findings.
From: Xinhua
Chinese government allocates 117 billion yuan for epidemic control
Chinese governments at all levels have allocated a combined 116.9 billion yuan (16.7 billion U.S. dollars) of funds for epidemic prevention and control as of March 13, a finance ministry official said on March 14.
While continuing efforts to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Chinese government has rolled out a raft of measures to cushion the impact of the epidemic on the economy, Fu Jinling, an official at the Ministry of Finance said a press conference.
From: Xinhua
China tightens border quarantine against infectious diseases
People infected with quarantinable infectious diseases or suspected epidemic victims who refuse to receive isolated observation or fail to truthfully fill out their health declaration forms at border checkpoints, such as international airports, in China, could face criminal penalties, according to a guideline made public March 16.
The guideline was jointly released by the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Justice and the General Administration of Customs amid the country’s efforts to strengthen quarantine measures to guard against imported COVID-19 cases.
From: Xinhua
China to deepen the reform of government functions, enhance employment stability
China will deepen the reform of government functions, foster new drivers of growth, cultivate new forms of industry in the digital economy and keep employment stable, the State Council’s executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on March 17.
From: Xinhua
Xi Jinping chairs leadership meeting on epidemic control, economic development
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on March 18 chaired a leadership meeting to analyze the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic prevention and control as well as the economic development at home and abroad.
The meeting also made arrangements for coordinating the epidemic prevention and control with key work of economic and social development.
From: Xinhua
China shares experience on COVID-19 fight with int’l community
Chinese experts and officials have shared their experience on fighting the novel coronavirus with the international community through video conferences.
On March 18, Chinese experts and officials from health and customs departments shared information and experience about COVID-19 in a video conference with officials and healthcare specialists from the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and 24 African countries.
On March 19, officials and experts from about 10 European countries including France, Denmark, Switzerland, Ireland, Portugal and Albania held a video conference with their Chinese counterparts.
From: Xinhua
China urges U.S. to stop politicizing COVID-19
China urged the United States to stop politicizing COVID-19 and stigmatizing China, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said on March 23.
Geng made the remarks at a press briefing in response to a question regarding recent allegations from the U.S. side.
U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on March 21 that he wished “China would have told us more about what was going on in China.” Meanwhile, the White House is reportedly launching a communications plan across multiple federal agencies
that focus on accusing China of orchestrating a cover-up and creating a global pandemic.
From: Xinhua
China hopes U.S. will listen to rational voices, stop stigmatizing China: spokesperson
China hopes some individuals in the United States can listen to the rational voices of the world and at home and stop making wrong remarks that stigmatize China, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said on March 24.
Geng made the remarks at a press briefing in response to a question regarding U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo using the term “Wuhan virus” again in his tweet on March 23, despite China’s strong oppositions against linking the virus with China or a specific Chinese city.
From: Xinhua
Border quarantine rules apply to all nationalities: judicial officials
Any Chinese or foreign citizen or stateless person who impairs frontier quarantine measures while entering or leaving China shall be equally held accountable in accordance with Chinese laws, officials with the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate said on March 24.
Chinese authorities have listed six kinds of behaviors that could constitute the crime of impairing frontier quarantine measures in a guideline, targeting individuals who spread or risk spreading a quarantinable infectious disease identified by the Chinese State Council, including plague, cholera, yellow fever and COVID-19.
From: Xinhua
China hopes U.S. joins int’l community to fight pande mic: FM spokesperson
China hopes the United States can work with China and the international community to jointly cope with the challenge brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and safeguard global public health security, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on March 25.
Spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks at a news briefing in response to the stopping of using “Chinese virus” by U.S. politicians.
From: Xinhua
Xi calls for all-out global war against COVID-19 at extraordinary G20 summit
Chinese President Xi Jinping on March 26 called for a resolute all-out global war against the COVID-19 outbreak as leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) convened an extraordinary summit to coordinate multilateral response to the pandemic.
“It is imperative for the international community to strengthen confidence, act with unity and work together in a collective response,” Xi addressed the summit via video link in Beijing.
From: Xinhua
Xi chairs leadership meeting on COVID-19 response, economy
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on March 27 chaired a leadership meeting to analyze the COVID-19 response and economic performance.
The meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee made new arrangements on coordinating the COVID-19 response and economic and social development.
It also deliberated on two reports on poverty eradication.
From: Xinhua
Tibet’s anti-poverty feat points to institutional strength: article
China’s Tibet Autonomous Region has basically eradicated absolute poverty, a feat that shows the institutional strengths of socialism with Chinese characteristics, according to an article published on March 28.
March 28 marks the Serfs’ Emancipation Day. Sixty-one years ago, more than 1 million people, or 90 percent of the region’s population at that time, were liberated from the feudal serfdom.
By far, Tibet has taken all counties off the poverty list. “Without the right path, there is no way people can get rid of poverty,” said the article by Ding Yong, a professor of Xizang Minzu University.
From: Xinhua
Webinar on human rights protection and epidemic control held
On March 28, China’s eight human rights education and training centers including the Human Rights Research Center of Nankai University and the Human Rights Research Center of Renmin University of China jointly held a webinar on human rights protection amid the COVID-19 outbreak. 120 experts and scholars from 30 universities had an animated discussion on topics such as the right to subsistence, the right to know and to express, the protection of vulnerable people and personal freedom and rights equality during the epidemic control.
From: en.humanrights.cn
International symposium on anti-terrorism, de-radicalization and human rights held in Geneva
The international symposium on anti-terrorism, de-radicalization and human rights protection was held in Geneva on March 2 during the on-going 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council. China and other countries exchanged experiences of counter-terrorism and de-radicalization and discussed effective ways of enhancing international cooperation at the symposium.
The international symposium was jointly sponsored by the Mission of China to UN at Geneva, the Mission of Cameron to UN at Geneva, and the China Society for Human Rights Studies (CSHRS). Assistants to the special mechanism of the Human Rights Council, representatives of non-governmental organizations and officials of permanent missions of Cambodia, Britain, Mexico, Malaysia, Syria, Algeria, Serbia, Qatar, Laos, Niger and other countries attended this symposium.
From: en.humanrights.cn
Xi stresses COVID-19 scientific research during Beijing inspection
Chinese President Xi Jinping on March 2 stressed coordinately advancing the scientific research on novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to provide support for winning the battle against the epidemic.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on March 2 stressed coordinately advancing the scientific research on novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to provide support for winning the battle against the epidemic.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during his visit to the Academy of Military Medical Sciences and the School of Medicine at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
From: Xinhua
U.S. follows double-standard policy on counter-terrorism
The United States has adopted a double standard policy of counter-terrorism, which is based entirely on its own national interests, disregarding the appeal of other countries and regions, said Aierken Shamushake, deputy director of School of Law at Xinjiang University of China on March 2.
The United States has adopted a double standard policy of counter-terrorism, which is based entirely on its own national interests, disregarding the appeal of other countries and regions, said Aierken Shamushake, deputy director of School of Law at Xinjiang University of China on March 2.
The scholar made the remarks at an international symposium on counter-terrorism, de-radicalization and promotion and protection of human rights, which was held during the ongoing 43rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council.
From: Xinhua
Photo exhibition on Xinjiang held in Geneva
A photo exhibition titled “Home: A Glimpse of Life of People from Various Ethnic Groups in Xinjiang” opened at Palais des Nations in Geneva on March 2.
Living a happy life is the primary human right, and no one cares more about Chinese people than the Chinese government. I believe this exhibition will help you know a real Xinjiang, said Chen Xu, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, at the opening ceremony.
From: en.humanrights.cn
Training programs offer young people hope in Xinjiang
Vocational education and training in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region are giving the “young generation” there the “hope of life”, according to Jayanath Colombage, director general of the Institute of National Security Studies of Sri Lanka, who attended an international symposium on counter-terrorism in Geneva on March 2
The conference, which focused on counter-terrorism, de-radicalization, and promotion and protection of human rights, was a side event during the 43rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Various religions coexist in harmony in China: diplomat
Various religions have been coexisting in harmony in China, a senior Chinese diplomat said on March 2 during the 43rd session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council.
Various religions have been coexisting in harmony in China, a senior Chinese diplomat said on March 2 during the 43rd session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council.
This not only demonstrates the spirit of compatibility and tolerance in traditional Chinese culture, but also shows that the religious belief policy adopted by the Chinese government is in line with China’s national conditions, said Liu Hua, special representative for human rights affairs of China’s Foreign Ministry.
From: Xinhua
How does China protect human rights amid COVID-19 outbreak
The 43rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council is being held in Geneva while China is fighting the COVID-19 outbreak with “the most comprehensive, the strictest, the most thorough measures” as the authorities said on March 3.
The 43rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council is being held in Geneva while China is fighting the COVID-19 outbreak with “the most comprehensive, the strictest, the most thorough measures” as the authorities said on March 3.
China’s experience on human rights protection in the fight proves once again there is no one-size-fits-all approach in human rights protection and countries can find their own models of human rights protection in light of their national conditions and people’s needs.
From: CGTN
China to continue to make contributions to world food security: diplomat
As the world’s largest developing country and a responsible major country, China will continue to make contributions to maintaining world food security and promoting common development, a Chinese representative said on March 4.
China has always been an active part of global food security governance, firmly supporting the multilateral trading system, and implementing the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the diplomat said at the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council.
From: Xinhua
Chinese diplomat calls for attention to human rights of people suffering from war
Those suffering from conflict and war must have their human rights protected, a Chinese diplomat said here on March 4.
Currently, 168 million people around the world urgently need humanitarian assistance, 70 million people are displaced, and 24 million children in conflict areas cannot attend school, said Liu Hua, special representative for human rights of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, during a dialogue at the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council.
From: Xinhua
China committed to maintaining global food security
As the largest developing country and a responsible major country, China has been actively participating in the governance of global food security, firmly upholding the multilateral trading system, and implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. China will continue to make contributions to maintaining global food security and promoting common development, said the Chinese rep- resentative at an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to food held on March 4 at the on-going 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council.
From: en.humanrights.cn
Chinese NGOs hold thematic conference in Geneva
China NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE) and other Chinese nongovernmental organizations jointly held the thematic multilateral conference of “Promoting Sustainable Development Goals by Chinese Nongovernmental Organizations” in Geneva during the on-going 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council on March 5.
China NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE) and other Chinese nongovernmental organizations jointly held the thematic multilateral conference of “Promoting Sustainable Development Goals by Chinese Nongovernmental Organizations” in Geneva during the on-going 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council on March 5.
From: en.humanrights.cn
China issues new policies to fight against poverty
China has rolled out a slew of measures to strengthen social assistance for people most in need and fight against poverty, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said on March 8.
A census targeting poor people will be launched to ensure those eligible are covered by the social security system and have access to supportive policies, the ministry said at a teleconference on poverty relief.
From: Xinhua
China to improve medical waste disposal capacity across the country: official
A recent official plan requires each prefecture-level city to build at least one standardized medical waste disposal facility by the end of this year, an official said on March 10.
By the end of June 2022, every county should have built a complete system involving the collection, transportation and disposal of medical waste, said Zhao Qunying, an official with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), at a press conference.
From: Xinhua
China to strengthen coronavirus prevention at border, aid overseas fight
A leading group of China’s COVID-19 response on March 12 called for more targeted prevention measures to stem the cross-border spread of the novel coronavirus and promised help for overseas fight against the pandemic.
The group, led by Premier Li Keqiang, called for efforts to closely follow the overseas situation of the pandemic, and to take into consideration the latest assessment made by the World Health Organization and international practice, according to a meeting of the group held on March 12.
From: Xinhua
Xi says China to send more medical experts to Italy
China will send more medical experts to Italy and do its best to provide medical supplies and other assistance, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a phone conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on March 16.
In the talk, Xi stressed that both China and Italy have experienced the severe test of the COVID-19 epidemic recently. Noting that the Italian government has taken a series of resolute prevention and control measures in response to the epidemic, Xi said that China firmly supports Italy and has full confidence in Italy’s victory over the epidemic.
From: Xinhua
China to deepen the reform of government functions, enhance employment stability
China will deepen the reform of government functions, foster new drivers of growth, cultivate new forms of industry in the digital economy and keep employment stable, the State Council’s executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on March 16.
From: Xinhua
Xi vows more cooperation internationally to control rapid spread of disease
China vows closer international cooperation with Russia and other countries to control the novel coronavirus pneumonia pandemic, which experts say further demonstrates its vision of building a community with a shared future for human beings.
In a phone conversation on March 19 with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, President Xi Jinping said that the epidemic broke out ferociously, and China had to rise to the challenge and respond to it bravely.
From: China Daily
The world needs to fight the outbreak together
As always, China has put people’s life and health first in the fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak, and taken the most resolute and complete quarantine measures to treat patients, save lives and prevent the spread of the virus across the globe.
As always, China has put people’s life and health first in the fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak, and taken the most resolute and complete quarantine measures to treat patients, save lives and prevent the spread of the virus across the globe.
China decided to lock down Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province and the epicenter of the epidemic in China, to prevent the transmission of the virus within the city and to other places. Indeed, it was a tough choice for China to make on the eve of the country’s most important festival (Spring Festival).
An editorial published in The Lancet, a prestigious medical journal, on March 8, too, said the Chinese government has saved tens of thousands of lives. In the fight against the virus, China has adhered to the people-centric human rights policy, working with many countries and international organizations to deal with the outbreak and build a community with a shared future for human beings.
From: China Daily
China to step up prevention of epidemic rebound, imported COVID-19 cases
A leading group of China’s COVID-19 response on March 26 stressed measures to prevent the rebound of the epidemic within the country and called for stepping up prevention of imported cases by land and water.
The group, led by Premier Li Keqiang, called for comprehensive and scientific study and judgment on both domestic and overseas epidemic situation development, stressing that the complexity and severity of the epidemic situations should be fully recognized and should not be taken lightly.
From: Xinhua
Xi chairs leadership meeting on COVID-19 response, economy
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on March 27 chaired a leadership meeting to analyze the COVID-19 response and economic performance.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on March 27 chaired a leadership meeting to analyze the COVID-19 response and economic performance.
The meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee made new arrangements on coordinating the COVID-19 response and economic and social development.
From: Xinhua
April 2020
China’s control measures prevent tens of thousands of infections: spokesperson
China’s prevention and control measures have altered the dangerous course of COVID-19’s quick spread and prevented tens of thousands of infections nationwide, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on April 1.
Hua Chunying made the remarks when asked to comment on a paper recently published by the journal Science, which believes the control measures worked by successfully breaking the chain of transmission and preventing contact between infectious and susceptible people and bought other cities valuable time.
From: Xinhua
Vice premier stresses research on COVID-19 vaccine, treatment, medicine
Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan on April 1 stressed making full use of the effective drugs and treatment technologies and accelerating the progress of vaccine research and development to fight the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Leading a central government group to oversee the epidemic control work in Hubei Province, Sun, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a symposium with frontline experts and researchers.
From: Xinhua
China to strengthen epidemic control along land border
Chinese authorities on April 2 demanded further strengthening epidemic control efforts along its land border to prevent the importation of COVID-19 infections.
The demand was made at a meeting of the leading group of China’s COVID-19 epidemic response, which was chaired by Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.
From: Xinhua
Virus testing along border to get a boost
China will bolster the capacities of laboratory tests and medical treatment in border areas as part of broader efforts to curb the importation of COVID-19 cases via land entry points, according to a statement released after a meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on April 6.
The leading group of the Communist Party of China Central Committee for responding to the novel coronavirus, led by the premier, underscored that the number of imported cases via land entry points have exceeded those entering through international flights in recent days.
From: China Daily
China opposes all forms of discrimination, prejudice: spokesperson
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on April 7 that China opposes all forms of discrimination and prejudice.
Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks in a press briefing when responding to media reports that since China tightened immigration control measures to contain imported cases of COVID-19, some foreigners have complained about discrimination and rising xenophobia in China.
From: Xinhua
Chinese coming from 26 countries must submit health info to fly
Chinese passengers who are going to fly from 26 countries to China are required to submit their health information prior to boarding the plane, the country’s civil aviation regulator said on April 7.
According to a notice jointly issued by Civil Aviation Administration of China and General Administration of Customs, starting Wednesday, passengers in 26 countries, including the United States, Italy and Spain who already booked air tickets to China must report their personal information, health status and recent travel history on a daily basis via a WeChat mini-program before boarding.
From: China Daily
Beijing says yes to travelers from Hubei
Strengthening its COVID-19 screening effort, Beijing is requiring people who had been stranded in Hubei province — the initial epicenter of the outbreak — to undergo at least two tests for the coronavirus, one before leaving Hubei and the other after arriving in the capital.
A 14-day mandatory quarantine is also required, either at home or at a designated site, for people returning from the beleaguered province, the city’s anti-virus leading group decided on April 7.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Xi chairs leadership meeting on regular epidemic control, work resumption
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on April 8 chaired a leadership meeting to make new arrangements on implementing regular epidemic prevention and control measures and fully advancing work resumption.
The meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee analyzed the COVID-19 situation and economic performance at home and abroad.
From: Xinhua
Xi hails role of community workers
President Xi Jinping has called on community workers to continue their steadfast efforts to combat COVID-19 as communities remain an important line of defense against imported cases and a rebound of the outbreak in China.
Xi made the remark on April 8 in a letter of reply to community workers at a neighborhood which he visited last month during his inspection tour of Wuhan, the Chinese city hit hardest by the outbreak.
From: China Daily
Nation steps up supply of medical goods
China is stepping up efforts to ensure the supply of medical goods to meet surging demand both at home and abroad, as the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak continues to spread across the globe, the nation’s top industrial regulator said on April 8.
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology spokesman Huang Libin said the global spread of the novel coronavirus created new challenges for the nation’s prevention and control work, and China will make a big push to ensure steady supplies of medical goods.
From: China Daily
China to ease urban residency restrictions to boost urbanization
China plans to ease restrictions for rural residents applying for urban household registration status and allow more people to enjoy public services, according to a document released April 9.
Cities with a resident population of less than 3 million should remove all barriers for rural residents to apply for urban household registration status, or hukou, according to the document released by the National Development and Reform Commission.
From: Xinhua
Wuhan in all-out efforts to cure elderly COvID-19 patients
China’s Wuhan will strengthen medical treatment for severely ill and elderly COVID-19 patients, the latest signal from the city hard hit by the novel coronavirus but now in a steady recovery.
Jiao Yahui, an official with the National Health Commission, said on April 11 that patients at the Huoshenshan and Leishenshan hospitals, built from scratch to help the then-overloaded local hospitals treat severely ill COVID-19 patients, will be transferred to four large hospitals in Wuhan by April 15.
From: Xinhua
More attention to asymptomatic coronavirus cases: health expert
Zhong Nanshan, a renowned Chinese respiratory specialist, said on April 16 that more attention should be paid to asymptomatic coronavirus cases.
Zhong made the comments during a video conference in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou with clinicians from Europe, the United States and Africa.
From: Xinhua
Over 10 mln jobs offered at China’s special online job fair
China’s special online job fair has provided over 10 million job vacancies amid the country’s efforts to revive job markets hard hit by the novel coronavirus epidemic.
By April 9, more than 11.62 million job posts from 1.24 million companies had been offered to applicants at the special online job fair, which was launched on March 20 and will last until the end of June, said the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on April 16.
From: Xinhua
China’s job market improves in March as COVID-19 epidemic wanes
China’s job market improved last month as life and work gradually resumed in the virus-hit economy, official data showed on April 17.
The surveyed unemployment rate in urban areas stood at 5.9 percent in March, down 0.3 percentage points from the previous month, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
A total of 2.29 million new urban jobs were created in the first quarter of 2020, the NBS said.
From: Xinhua
China’s health authority calls for int’l cooperation in fighting COVID-19 pandemic
China’s health authority has called for international cooperation to carry out joint prevention and control in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
Ma Xiaowei, minister in charge of the National Health Commission, made the call at the Group of 20 (G20) health ministers virtual meeting on April 19.
From: Xinhua
China urges U.S. officials to stop spreading conspiracy theories: FM spokesperson
A Foreign Ministry spokesperson on April 20 urged certain U.S. officials to respect the facts, science and the international consensus, and stop spreading conspiracy theories surrounding the origin of the COVID-19 virus.
Spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks at a press briefing when commenting on the recent claims of some U.S. officials that the virus originated from a Wuhan virology lab.
From: Xinhua
China strengthens border control to prevent imported COVID-19 risk
China has strengthened border control measures for the containment of imported novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) risk, an official said April 20.
Liu Haitao, with the National Immigration Administration (NIA), made the remarks at a press conference on China’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.
From: Xinhua
Xi’s tour focuses on poverty, ecology
President Xi Jinping inspected poverty alleviation work in Shaanxi province on April 21 amid the nation’s efforts to overcome the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic and improve people’s livelihoods.
From: Xinhua
Ministry: Nation mobilizing support for Chinese overseas
China has fully mobilized all kinds of resources to provide timely assistance and support for its overseas citizens amid the health threat caused by the spread of the COVID-19 disease globally, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on April 22.
From: China Daily
Chinese premier stresses stabilizing economic fundamentals, securing people’s livelihood
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has stressed confidence and efforts in stabilizing China’s economic fundamentals and securing people’s basic livelihood in the face of the economic difficulties and challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks on April 23 at a video conference with heads of several provincial regions on the current economic situation.
From: Xinhua
China resettles 9.47 million people for poverty relief by March
China has completed the construction of more than 2.66 million houses to relocate 9.47 million people for poverty relief by the end of March, with occupancy rate reaching 99 percent, said the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) April 23.
In 89 percent of the resettled households with people able to work, at least one person in each household has got a job, according to the NDRC. By mid-April, the work to construct educational and healthcare facilities for 132 large-scale resettlement projects has been resumed as the COVID-19 epidemic began to wane.
From: Xinhua
China to severely punish use of minors in organized crime
China vowed to severely punish mafia-like organizations and criminal groups that use minors to commit crimes on April 23.
The Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP), the Supreme People’s Court and the ministries of public security and justice have jointly issued a set of guidelines to better protect the lawful rights and interests of minors, said Wan Chun, an official with the SPP, at a press conference.
From: Xinhua
Xi chairs leadership meeting on regular epidemic control, supporting Hubei development
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on April 29 chaired a leadership meeting on regular epidemic prevention and control and supporting the economic and social development in Hubei Province.
The meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee analyzed the COVID-19 situation at home and abroad.
From: Xinhua
Xinjiang upholds ethnic equality, aimed at common prosperity: Official
Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on April 29 said the region fully follows the ethnic policies of China and upholds ethnic equality, thus working for common development and prosperity.
An official of the region’s ethnic affairs commission made the remarks at a press conference on matters pertaining to Xinjiang.
From: CGTN
May 2020
Prioritizing human rights helps China defeat COvID-19: experts
China prioritized human rights amid the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring people’s lives and health in a people-centric approach, and therefore achieved the results of quickly taking the epidemic under control, experts stressed in an international conference entitled “Guarantee of the Right to Life in Epidemic Prevention and Control” held at Southwest University of Political Science and Law on May 9.
More than 40 experts and scholars from China, the Netherlands, France, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka attended the meeting to exchange their standpoints around human rights values during the pandemic.
From: Global Times
Chinese courts strengthen protection of juveniles
China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) on May 18 pledged strict punishments for crimes violating juveniles’ rights to ensure justice is upheld.
Stressing that Chinese courts always strictly crack down on offenses involving minors, the SPC said the courts handled 28,975 criminal cases involving harm against juveniles including child trafficking and molestation, and punished 29,787 offenders in such cases from 2013 to 2019.
From: Xinhua
Webinar on human rights protection amid COVID-19 held
A human rights webinar on international cooperation in fighting the COVID-19 and building a community with a shared future was held on May 18. The teleconference was sponsored by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and organized by the Institute for Human Rights, China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL). Around 30 experts and officials from China, Sweden, France and Australia joined the virtual event.
From: en.humanrights.cn
China’s top political advisory body to hold annual session from May 21 to 27
The National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country’s top political advisory body, will open its annual session on May 21 in Beijing, a spokesperson said on May 20.
The session is set to conclude on May 27, Guo Weimin, spokesperson for the third session of the 13 th National Committee of the CPPCC, told a press conference. Amid regular measures to prevent and control COVID-19, this year’s session will be shorter than previously planned.
From: Xinhua
Over 1 million pieces of advice solicited during civil code compilation: spokesperson
A total of 1.02 million pieces of advice had been solicited from around 425,000 people during the compilation process of China’s civil code, a spokesperson for the annual session of the national legislature said on May 21.
The 1,260-article draft civil code will be submitted to the third session of the 13 th National People’s Congress for deliberation, spokesperson Zhang Yesui told a press conference.
From: Xinhua
China moves closer to civil code
China’s national legislature will deliberate a massive bill when its annual session opens on May 22, moving closer to having a civil code for the people’s republic.
An 84-chapter, 1,260-article draft was put together in December after different parts of it were reviewed, including the general provisions and six parts on property, contracts, personality rights, marriage and family, inheritance and torts liability.
From: Xinhua
China firm on achieving development goals of 2020, though setting no specific growth target
China will work to ensure achieving the development goals of winning the battle against poverty and completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects this year, though setting no specific economic growth target for 2020, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation
on May 22.
From: Xinhua
China’s national legislature to hold annual session from May 22 to 28
China’s national legislature will open its annual session on May 22 in Beijing, a spokesperson said on May 21.
The third session of the 13 th National People’s Congress (NPC) is scheduled to conclude on May 28, with nine items on its agenda, Zhang Yesui, spokesperson for the session, told a press conference.
From: Xinhua
China to increase basic pension for retirees
China will increase the basic pension for retirees and the minimum basic old-age pension for rural and non-working urban residents, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on May 22.
China will ensure the payments of pension fund on time and in full to nearly 300 million people, the report said.
From: Xinhua
China to enhance financial support to ensure employment
China’s central government will set aside 53.9 billion yuan (about 7.6 billion U.S. dollars) of employment subsidies this year amid efforts to ensure employment, according to a draft budget report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on May 22.
The government will do all it can to stabilize and expand employment as it is a top priority of the government work, said the report.
From: Xinhua
China aims to add over 9 million new urban jobs in 2020
China will prioritize stabilizing employment and ensuring people’s livelihood this year, aiming to create more than 9 million new urban jobs, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on May 22.
The surveyed urban unemployment rate will be kept at around 6 percent, said the report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang at the opening meeting of the annual national legislative session.
From: Xinhua
China to ensure food supply for 1.4 billion people through own efforts
It is imperative and well within China’s ability to ensure the food supply for 1.4 billion Chinese people through the country’s own efforts, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on May 22.
To bolster agricultural production, the country will increase its area of high-standard cropland by 80 million mu (5.33 million hectares), the report said.
From: Xinhua
China to strengthen public health system development
China will strengthen the development of the public health system, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on May 22.
The report stressed improving the direct-reporting and early warning systems for infectious diseases, increasing spending on vaccines, drugs and fast testing technologies, increasing mobile labs and strengthening the supply of emergency materials, among others.
From: Xinhua
China to ensure eliminating rural poverty in 2020
China will ensure the elimination of poverty among all rural residents living below the current poverty line and in all poor counties this year, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on May 22.
From: Xinhua
Intl discussion on protection for vulnerable groups urges more attention
The COVID-19 pandemic is testing the world’s human rights protection as the socioeconomic effects have impacted vulnerable and marginalized groups. Global experts and NGO’s representatives on human rights protection urged policymakers to grant favorable measures that would benefit vulnerable groups and protect their rights during an online conference on May 23.
Over 20 experts and delegates from China, Japan, UK, Norway, Sweden attended the virtual conference, launched by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and Institute for Human Rights Studies at Wuhan University. The event was aimed to provide a platform where they could exchange ideas on providing care facilities for vulnerable groups who have had a more difficult time fighting COVID-19, including the elderly, disabled, and migrant workers.
From: Global Times
China to enhance public health system to better protect people’s lives
China will step up efforts in building a stronger protection network in the public health domain to better protect people’s lives and health as the country is shifting to COVID-19 regular prevention and control.
On May 24, Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed fortifying the public health protection network as he was participating in a deliberation at the annual national legislative session with lawmakers from central China’s Hubei Province, recently hard-hit by the epidemic.
From: Xinhua
Xi orders fortifying public health protection network
President Xi Jinping stressed fortifying the public health protection network when participating in a deliberation at the annual national legislative session.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks on May 24 when joining in discussions with lawmakers from central China’s Hubei Province.
From: Xinhua
China to prioritize legislation on public health in 2020
China’s top legislature said on May 25 that it will prioritize legislation on public health this year.
In its annual work report, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) said it plans to revise the Wildlife Protection Law, the Law on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, the Frontier Health and Quarantine Law, and the Emergency Response Law in 2020.
From: Xinhua
China issues guidelines on disabled people’s wellbeing amid COVID-19 control
Chinese authorities have issued guidelines on guaranteeing the basic wellbeing of disabled people amid normalized COVID-19 prevention and control, the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF) said on May 25.
Jointly issued by the CDPF, the Ministry of Finance and three other authorities, the guidelines include specific requirements for guaranteeing disabled people’s basic livelihood and employment, as well as helping to lift the economically disadvantaged out of poverty.
From: Xinhua
China adopts milestone Civil Code
China’s top legislature on May 28 voted to adopt the country’s long-expected Civil Code, a milestone legislation that will better protect people’s rights and offer strong legal support for the country’s development.
The Civil Code passed at the third session of the 13 th National People’s Congress (NPC) will take effect on Jan. 1, 2021.
From: Xinhua
China adopts decision to make Hong Kong national security laws
China is set to make Hong Kong national security laws as a related decision was adopted at the national legislature on May 28.
The decision will also allow the central government’s national security organs to set up agencies in Hong Kong when needed.
Deputies to the 13 th National People’s Congress (NPC) voted overwhelmingly to approve the decision at the closing meeting of the NPC annual session.
From: Xinhua
Global experts call for human consolidation, denouncing US’s anti-China remarks amid pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity to promote solidarity and to stop politicizing the virus, said worldwide law and human rights experts during a livestreaming conference focused on comparing human rights in China and the Western countries amid virus prevention efforts.
Over 40 professionals from UN Human Rights, Austria, the Netherlands, the UK, Pakistan, Nepal, and China joined together to discuss how to avoid the coronavirus crisis becoming a human rights crisis at the conference held in Institute for Human Rights Law, Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan on May 30.
From: Global Times
June 2020
China to strengthen medic protection with new law
A new law to be implemented from June 1 provides for heavier penalties for organizations or individuals threatening the safety of medics and harming their dignity.
The law on promoting basic medical and health care also defines medical service institutions as public places. “In this way, heavier penalties for picking quarrels and threatening public security can be applied to the offenders who meet the relating provisions of the criminal law, which can better protect the medics,” said Li Huijuan, a senior lawyer in the medical field.
From: Xinhua
All rural children in Xinjiang have access to free pre-school education
China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has realized the full coverage of free pre-school education in rural areas with the continuous increase of educational investment, according to a press conference held on June 1, 2020.
Xinjiang has invested heavily in the construction, renovation and expansion of 4,408 kindergartens in rural areas, according to the press conference.
From: Xinhua
China urges U.S. to eliminate racial discrimination, protect minorities
Black lives matter and their human rights should be guaranteed, Chinese Foreign Ministry said on June 1, 2020.
When asked to comment on the death of African-American George Floyd, spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters that racial discrimination is a long-lasting problem in the United States. We hope that the U.S. government would take all necessary measures to deal with the violent law enforcement of police, so as to protect and safeguard the legitimate interests of racial minorities, Zhao said during a daily briefing in Beijing.
From: CGTN
Xi stresses strong public health system to safeguard people’s health
President Xi Jinping on June 2 called for efforts to develop a strong public health system to safeguard people’s health.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when presiding over a symposium attended by experts and scholars.
From: Xinhua
Life expectancy of Chinese rises to 77.3 years
The average life expectancy of Chinese citizens rose from 77 years in 2018 to 77.3 years in 2019, according to statistics released by the Chinese National Health Commission on June 6, 2020.
From: Xinhua
China publishes white paper on fight against COVID-19
China on June 7 issued a white paper on the country’s battle against COVID-19.The white paper, titled “Fighting COVID-19: China in Action,” was issued by the State Council Information Office.
The Chinese government released the white paper to keep a record of the country’s efforts in its own fight against the virus, to share its experience with the rest of the world, and to clarify its ideas on the global battle, according to the white paper.
From: Xinhua
China spends over 5 trillion yuan on education in 2019
China spent about 5.01 trillion yuan ($706.6 billion) on education nationwide in 2019, up 8.74 percent from the previous year, the Ministry of Education said on June 15, 2020.
The government’s budgetary spending on education amounted to over 4 trillion yuan in 2019, a year-on-year increase of 8.25 percent, according to a report issued by the ministry.
From: Xinhua
China to increase public health emergency supplies
China will enhance its capacity of ensuring public health emergency supplies,with improved prevention and medical treatment, material reserves and production capabilities, the country’s top economic planner said on June 16, 2020.
From: Xinhua
China mulls new law to support veterans in education, employment
China’s top legislature on June 18 began reviewing a draft law aimed at supporting veterans, in a move to further safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of retired military personnel.
The draft was submitted for its first reading at the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, which runs from June 18 to 20.
From: Xinhua
China slams U.S. enacting law on Uygurs
China expressed strong opposition on June 18 after the so-called Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 was signed into law by United States President Donald Trump. Beijing urged Washington to correct its mistakes or face countermeasures and bear all consequences.
The legislation twisted the human rights situation in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, attacked the Chinese government’s policies there and trampled on international law and the basic principles of international affairs, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on June 18.
From: China Daily
China’s Xinjiang lifts millions out of poverty
Nearly 3 million residents were lifted out of poverty in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from 2014 to 2019, local authorities said on June 19, 2020.
A total of 737,000 households, or more than 2.92 million residents, cast off poverty in the region during the period, with the poverty rate decreasing to 1.24 percent from 19.4 percent in 2013, according to the information office of the regional government.
From: Xinhua
Nearly 11 million students to sit China’s college entrance exam in July: ministry
A total of 10.71 million students will sit this year’s national college entrance exam in China on July 7 and 8, an increase of 400,000 over last year, the Ministry of Education said June 19, 2020.
From: Xinhua
UN Human Rights Council condemns racism in wake of George Floyd’s death
The United Nations Human Rights Council on June 19 adopted a resolution strongly condemning the continuing racially discriminatory and violent practices perpetrated by law enforcement agencies against Africans and people of African descent.
The resolution, adopted by consensus without a vote in the 47-member UN body, also deplored the recent incidents of excessive use of force and other human rights violations by law enforcement officers against peaceful demonstrators defending the rights of Africans and people of African descent.
From: Xinhua
UN rights body adopts China-sponsored resolution on mutually beneficial cooperation
The UN Human Rights Council on June 22 adopted a China-sponsored resolution, calling upon all countries to uphold multilateralism and work together to promote mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of human rights.
The resolution, titled “Promoting mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of human rights,” recognizes the importance of fostering international relations based on mutual respect, fairness, justice and mutually beneficial cooperation, and of building a community of shared future for human beings in which human rights are enjoyed by all.
From: Xinhua
Over 95 percent Chinese covered by basic medical insurance
More than 95 percent of Chinese were covered by the country’s national basic health insurance programs in 2019, according to statistics released by the National Healthcare Security Administration.
From: Xinhua
Chinese government helps college graduates find jobs online
A government-sponsored online recruiting service platform has offered more than 13 million job posts for Chinese college graduates since its launch in March.
The “24365” platform was co-sponsored by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and multiple recruiting platforms to help graduates find jobs amid the COVID-19 fallout.
From: Xinhua
Dropout rate in Chinese schools falls by nearly 99 percent
The number of students dropping out of school amid their nine-year compulsory education period dropped by nearly 99 percent nationwide, from 600,000 in early 2019 to 6,781 as of June 14, China’s Ministry of Education said June 29, 2020.
From: Xinhua
China allocates 150 million yuan for flood relief
The central government has earmarked 150 million yuan (about 21.2 million U.S. dollars) to support flood control and relief in three provinces, the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) said on June 30, 2020.
Designated for Sichuan, Guizhou and Hunan, the funds were allocated by the Ministry of Finance and the MEM after a level-IV emergency response, the lowest in the country’s four-tier warning system, which was activated for the flood-hit regions.
From: Xinhua
Anti-poverty agency urges close monitoring of flood-afflicted farmers
China’s top anti-poverty agency on June 30 urged better monitoring of farmers susceptible to flashfloods and other geological disasters.
The advisory came after strong rainfall and floods ravaged several southern provinces over the past month, hampering local poverty relief efforts and raising concerns that those who recently escaped poverty might be hit hard.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
52 countries welcome China’s adoption of law on safeguarding na- tional security in HK
Speaking at the 44th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on June 30, Cuba on behalf of 52 countries welcomed the adoption of the law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by China’s top legislature.
From: Xinhua
UNHRC must reject politically motivated human rights discussions
On June 30, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) began its 44th regular session to discuss human rights at a time that could not be more pertinent as the COVID-19 pandemic exposes vast inequalities across the globe.
The time for an open discussion on human rights, and particularly how they should be broadened in scope, could not be more opportune and should not be wasted for political opportunism.
From: CGTN
July 2020
46 countries voice support for China’s anti-terrorism and de-radical- ization work in Xinjiang
Belarus on July 1 delivered a joint statement on behalf of 46 countries at the 44th session of UN Human Rights Council, voicing support for China’s anti-terrorism and de-radicalization work in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
“We urge refraining from making unfounded allegations against China based on disinformation,” they said in the statement.
From: Ecns.cn
China urges certain countries to stop using human rights to meddle in others’ domestic affairs
China urges certain countries to correct their mistakes on human rights issues,refrain from politicizing the relevant issues or practicing double standards, and stop meddling in other countries’ domestic affairs, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said July 2, 2020.
Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a press briefing while commenting on the European Union’s recent allegations at the UN Human Rights Council regarding Xinjiang-related human rights issues.
From: Xinhua
Chinese Foreign Ministry: 37 facts on China’s human rights conditions
The Chinese Foreign Ministry on July 2 addressed recent accusations against China, disseminated by certain Western countries, on issues involving Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ministry published a statement on its official website refuting 37 false claims,citing detailed scientific and legal evidence. It said the statement was composed to prevent the false claims, which it said were full of ignorance and biases against China,from causing further misunderstandings.
From: CGTN
China firmly opposes Pompeo’s Xinjiang-related accusations: spokesperson
China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed groundless accusations by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over China’s Xinjiang policy, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on July 3, 2020.
Spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a news briefing that Pompeo’s remarks, which claimed that the Chinese government was using forced labor in areas including Xinjiang,were entirely fabricated.
The rights and interests of workers from ethnic minority groups in Xinjiang as part of China’s large workforce are protected by law, Zhao said, adding their customs, religious beliefs and spoken and written languages are all protected by law.
From: Xinhua
Human rights experts raise alarm on rise of racism, xenophobia
Human rights experts are raising the alarm on the increase in incidents of xenophobia amid the coronavirus pandemic as the United Nations (UN) continuously receives reports about racially motivated violence against Asians.
Dozens of human rights experts joined a webinar on July 3 to discuss how to address incidents of racism amid the challenges posed by COVID-19.
From: CGTN
China allocates funds to improve public health
China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on July 6 said it has allocated 45.66 billion yuan (about 6.46 billion U.S. dollars) to boost the capacity for the prevention, control and treatment of diseases.
The funds will focus on regions hit hard by the epidemic and fields in urgent need or facing shortage.
From: Xinhua
Chinese premier stresses people’s well-being, advancing reform, innovation
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stressed the importance of ensuring people’s well-being, and advancing reform and innovation to boost development.
Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during his inspection tour to the cities of Tongren and Guiyang in southwest China’s Guizhou Province, from July 6 to July 7.
From: Xinhua
Carrie Lam defends Article 43 of national security law for HK
Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam on July 7 defended the new security law and the implementation rules in Article 43, stressing that instead of undermining the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, the legislation will safeguard Hong Kong’s stability as well as residents’ freedoms and rights.
Lam made the remarks at a weekly news briefing during which she reviewed actions taken by the SAR government in the past week and dismissed several fallacies spread by some media organizations.
From: CGTN
China allocates 615 million yuan for disaster relief
China on July 8 allocated a total of 615 million yuan (about 87.6 million U.S. dollars) for disaster relief in regions hit by floods, the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) said.
The funds, allocated by the Ministry of Finance and the MEM, were channeled to Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei, Guangxi, Chongqing and Guizhou, with 430 million yuan to be used for flood control. The remaining 185 million yuan will be used to help people affected by the disasters.
From: Xinhua
China stresses flood control, advancing water conservancy projects
China will make all-out efforts in flood control and disaster relief work while advancing the construction of major water conservancy projects, according to an executive meeting of the State Council on July 8, 2020.
From: Xinhua
Top political advisor stresses measures to help left-behind children,elderly
China’s top political advisor Wang Yang on July 10 stressed implementing targeted measures to provide care and services for left-behind children and elderly people in the countryside.
More than 170 political advisors expressed their opinions on the matter onsite or via mobile links and platforms. They made positive comments on the government’s work on left-behind children and elderly people in recent years, but pointed out deficiencies in the service system and implementation of relevant policies.
From: Xinhua
Tibet marks progress in socialism, human rights
The Tibet autonomous region has achieved a historic leap from a system of feudal serfdom to socialism thanks to the region’s democratic reform and the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, an expert said at an event recently in Chongqing.
More than 20 professors and experts from home and abroad discussed Tibet’s social development and human rights record over the last few decades at an online side event of the 44th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council International Conference on Social Development and Human Rights Protection in Tibet. It was held at Southwest University of Political Science and Law in Chongqing on July 13.
From: China Daily
China urges community-level hospitals to improve services for elderly people
China’s community-level medical institutions were asked to improve inpatient wards and provide more beds for the elderly, according to a circular released by the National Health Commission on July 13, 2020.
Hospital beds in community-level medical institutions should be mainly used for elderly patients, rehabilitation, nursing care and palliative care, the circular said.
From: Xinhua
Report: U.S. wealth division leads to serious human rights issues
The China Society for Human Rights Studies on July 14 published an article laying bare the harsh reality of the serious division between the rich and the poor in the United States under the superficial of its overall prosperity.
The growing division between the rich and the poor in the United States has further highlighted and exacerbated the existing social and economic inequality within the U.S. society, reducing people at the bottom to a more difficult situation, read the article titled “The Growing Division Between the Rich and the Poor Leading to Increasingly Severe Human Rights Issues in the United States.”
From: CGTN
Chinese state councilor stresses all-out flood relief efforts
State Councilor Wang Yong on July 14 called for all-out efforts in flood prevention,relief, and rescue work to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.
At a video conference on July 14, Wang, also head of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, called on relevant authorities to enhance coordination and strengthen monitoring and early-warning systems for heavy rainfall, typhoons, and other severe weather events.
From: Xinhua
Beijing raises retirement pensions
Beijing released a scheme to adjust basic pension for retirees, increasing 50 yuan ($7.13) per month for each person, according to the Beijing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau on July 14, 2020.
The new scheme, which starts on July 15 is expected to benefit nearly 3.97 million Beijing residents, including retirees of Beijing enterprises, government bodies and institutions.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Nation fills over 60% of its annual jobs target
China has completed more than 60 percent of its annual target of new urban jobs,with 5.64 million such jobs created in the year’s first half, the National Bureau of Statistics said on July 16, 2020.
The country set a target to add more than 9 million new urban jobs in the Government Work Report, and it has completed 62.7 percent of the annual target, according to the NBS.
From: China Daily
Chinese envoy calls for efforts to tackle sexual violence in conflict
A Chinese envoy on July 17 called for efforts to tackle sexual violence in conflict by conflict prevention and the empowerment of women.
All countries should work together to build a peaceful and prosperous world free from conflict, said Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.
From: Xinhua
China releases guidelines on urban community renovation
China will start to renovate 39,000 old urban residential areas this year, benefiting some 7 million households, according to guidelines released by the State Council on July 20, 2020.
The country will basically form the institutional framework and policy system for the renovation of old urban residential areas by 2022 and strive to finish the rebuilding of all communities that need to be renovated by the end of 2025, according to the guidelines.
From: Xinhua
Roundup: Chinese NGO representatives voice views at UN Human Rights Council session
Representatives from a group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in China have participated in the 44th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council through videos links, voicing their views on a series of topics including the rights to health, education and poverty alleviation.
From: Xinhua
China says UK official’s remarks on Xinjiang human rights ‘total lies’
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Britain hit back on July 21 at comments by British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab that accused Beijing of so-called human rights abuses against Uygurs, claiming the remarks are complete lies.
The “gross human rights abuses” against the Uygurs and “forced sterilization and abortion” of Muslim women are sheer lies, the spokesperson said in a statement. From 1978 to 2018, the Uygur population in Xinjiang doubled, from 5.55 million to 11.68 million, and this ironclad evidence proves the above claims do not hold water, the statement added.
From: CGTN
China relieves student loan borrowers of debt burden
China has revised its state-subsidized student loan policy in a bid to further reduce the debt burden of college student borrowers, according to an official circular.
State-subsidized student loans are priced at 30 basis points below the loan primerate (LPR) - a market-based benchmark lending rate - of the same class and same term, said the circular, made public on July 22 on the website of the Ministry of Education (MOE).
From: Xinhua
China to intensify infectious disease prevention in H2: document
China will give priority to the prevention of COVID-19 while deepening healthcare reform in the second half of this year, according to a document issued on July 23, 2020.
Released by the General Office of the State Council, the document clarifies the key tasks for deepening reform of medical and health systems.
From: Xinhua
China starts pilot network for distance elderly care services
China’s health authority on July 30 started a nationwide pilot network, providing integrated elderly care and medical services to the country’s aging population.
The network offers distance services, including telemedicine, chronic-disease management, follow-up medicine delivery, guidance on caregiving, and medical lectures,said the National Health Commission.
From: Xinhua
Chinese premier stresses production safety, flood control
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has called for relentless efforts in enhancing safety in production and flood control to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.
All localities and departments must strengthen the overhaul of key industries for loopholes to prevent major and extremely serious accidents, Li said in an instruction to a national teleconference on production safety on July 31, 2020.
From: Xinhua
China’s Xinjiang spends over 200 billion yuan to improve livelihood in H1
The government of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region invested over 200.6 billion yuan (about 28.6 billion U.S. dollars) in improving people’s livelihood in the first half of this year (H1), accounting for 74.7 percent of its total public expenditure.
From: Xinhua
August 2020
Red Cross Society of China assists with flood relief
The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) has initiated 36 rounds of emergency responses, and allocated disaster relief materials and funds to help flood-affected regions, the RCSC said on Aug. 4, 2020.
From: Xinhua
China pumps in money to increase emergency supplies
China’s finance ministry has allocated 30 billion yuan (about 4.3 billion U.S. dollars) to enhance the country’s capacity to ensure emergency supplies.
The funds will be used to supplement local supplies of emergency materials and build a sound system that ensures the coordination, reserve and distribution of emergency supplies, the Ministry of Finance said on its website on Aug. 5, 2020.
From: Xinhua
Women’s development under threat: China shares gender-inclusive responses to COVID-19
With money and resources preferentially reallocated to deal with the pandemic, progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially hard-fought gains for women’s rights, have already come under threat, representatives from 11 countries warned during a virtual meeting hosted by UN Women on Aug. 5. They urged countries to bring the implementation of SDG back on track guided by gender equality priorities.
From: CGTN
Fighting Unemployment: China rolls out policies to promote flexible jobs as COVID-19 hits millions
In China, there are 83-million small and self-employed business owners, providing jobs for 200-million people. The figures were announced at a news conference on Aug. 7. But a lack of custom due to COVID-19 has made it difficult for many of them to pay their rent. And many have been forced to lay off employees.
China has rolled out policies to reverse the negative impact of COVID-19 on the job market. The measures look to promote flexible employment and help rural migrants find work or start businesses.
From: CGTN
Xi signs order awarding 4 persons for outstanding contribution in COVID-19 fight
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Aug. 11 signed a presidential order awarding four persons the national medal and honorary title for their outstanding contribution to fighting the COVID-19 epidemic.
Xi’s presidential order came after the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress voted at the 21st session to adopt a decision to confer the national medal and honorary title on the four renowned specialists.
From: Xinhua
Webinar on right to health amid COVID-19 held
A human rights webinar on how to protect the right to health during the pandemic prevention and control was held on Aug. 11. The teleconference was organized by the Center for Human Rights Studies and the Law School of Fudan University. Around 30 experts and scholars joined the virtual event.
From: en.humanrights.cn
Chinese experts stress human rights education for youth
A number of Chinese experts have stressed human rights education for the youth to advance the whole cause of human rights at an online international human rights forum held by the national human rights center of Uzbekistan held on Aug. 12-13.
From: Xinhua
China grants 1st COVID-19 vaccine patent to domestic candidate
Chinese authorities have granted the first invention patent to a domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine candidate, which experts said demonstrates the vaccine’s originality and creativity and would enhance the international market’s trust in Chinese-developed COVID-19 vaccines.
The grant of the patent further confirmed the vaccine’s efficacy and safety and convincingly demonstrated the ownership of its intellectual property rights (IPR), CanSino said in a statement on Aug. 16.
From: CGTN
Li hails move to channel funds to grassroots
China will make further plans for increased fiscal funds to directly benefit businesses and the people in a bid to enhance the foundation for economic recovery and growth, and ensure the full delivery of financial policies to support the real economy, the State Council’s executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on Aug. 17, 2020.
From: China Daily
China to take all necessary measures to safeguard legitimate rights, interests of Chinese firms
China’s Commerce Ministry said on Aug. 20 that China firmly opposes the U.S. decision to once again escalate its suppression of Huawei and will take all necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights of Chinese enterprises.
According to the ministry, the U.S. has used state power under the generalization of the “national security” to continuously abuse export control measures and suppress specific enterprises in other countries.
From: CGTN
China resolves drinking water safety issues for poor
China has managed to resolve drinking water safety problems for its entire impoverished population, according to the Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) on Aug. 21, 2020.
The country has improved water supply services for a total of 256 million people in rural areas as of the end of July, with 17.1 million impoverished people getting access to clean water, Tian Xuebin, vice minister of MWR, told a press conference.
From: Xinhua
China approves emergency usage of COVID-19 vaccines, official says
A Chinese health official on Aug. 22 confirmed the country authorized emergency usage of COVID-19 vaccines developed by some select domestic companies on July 22.
“We’ve drawn up a series of plan packages, including medical consent forms, side-effects monitoring plans, rescuing plans, compensation plans, to make sure the emergency use is well regulated and monitored,” said Zheng Zhongwei, head of China’s coronavirus vaccine development task force.
From: CGTN
China updates regulations on human organ transplant
China has enforced updated regulations on human organ transplants starting from Aug. 24, replacing the previous version introduced in June 2006, said the National Health Commission.
From: Xinhua
Chinese envoy warns pandemic could breed terror
China’s deputy envoy to the United Nations said that while the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have temporarily reduced the risk of terrorist attacks, the socioeconomic fallout from the crisis has the potential to exacerbate conditions conducive to terrorism.
“It could feed into a vicious circle of destabilization and violence and increase the midterm to long-term threat, which ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) and other terrorist organizations are keen to explore and exploit,” Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations said on Aug. 24 at a UN Security Council virtual meeting on threats to international peace and security by terrorism.
From: China Daily Global
China rejects baseless and absurd Xinjiang claims, envoy says
A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Aug. 24 dismissed accusations by the United States and the United Kingdom over China’s northwestern region of Xinjiang as “baseless and absurd”.
The situation in Xinjiang is totally China’s internal affairs. It is not a religion issue or a human rights issue. Rather, it is about counterterrorism and anti-extremism, Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, said at a virtual meeting of the council on threats to international peace and security from terrorism.
From: China Daily
China solicits public opinion on employee medical insurance
China’s National Healthcare Security Administration on Aug. 26 started to solicit public opinion on a draft guideline to improve the individual medical insurance for urban employees.
At least 50 percent of the expenses of outpatient services for all insurance participants will be covered by the medical insurance after the reform, according to the guideline.
From: Xinhua
Chinese premier stresses flood control, post-disaster recovery
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Aug. 26 stressed efforts in flood control and disaster relief as well as post-disaster recovery to support production restoration in disaster-stricken areas and ensure people’s livelihood.
Li made the remarks while presiding over an executive meeting of the State Council.
A total of 100 billion yuan (about 14.48 billion U.S. dollars) will be allocated from central and local fiscal for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction, while a mechanism will be established to ensure the funds go straight to the disaster-stricken areas, according to the meeting.
From: Xinhua
Chinese premier stresses social assistance for people’s well-being
Premier Li Keqiang has underlined the country’s social assistance work to ensure the well-being of those in need.
Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in an instruction to a meeting held in Beijing on Aug. 27 about improving the country’s social assistance system.
From: Xinhua
Xinjiang authorities condemn U.S. sanctions on officials
Authorities in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are urging the U.S. to revoke the latest sanctions on Chinese officials and a prominent government organization in the region. Washington has imposed sanctions alleging human rights abuses. But Xinjiang officials dismissed the claims at a regular briefing on Aug. 27.
From: CGTN
China plans pro-consumption campaign to aid poverty alleviation
China will launch nationwide pro-consumption projects in September to boost sales of products from poor areas in an effort to promote poverty alleviation, the country’s poverty relief authority said on Aug. 28, 2020.
From: Xinhua
Xinjiang’s Uygur population rising, not declining, official says
Xinjiang’s Uygur population has increased under the law-based implementation of the family planning policy, with all rights of ethnic minorities including those of Uygurs protected, a Xinjiang official told a news conference on Aug. 29.
The remarks came after a German scholar Adrian Zenz recently published a report which claimed that Xinjiang was using forced sterilization and coercive family planning against Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang in a attempt to limit their population.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Xinjiang rebuts claims about ’racial genocide’
The Uygur population in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region has increased under the law-based implementation of the family planning policy, with all rights of ethnic minorities protected, a Xinjiang official told a news conference over the weekend (August 29-30).
The remarks came after German scholar Adrian Zenz recently published a report that claimed Xinjiang was using forced sterilization and coercive family planning against Uygurs and other minorities in Xinjiang in an attempt to limit their populations.
From: China Daily
September 2020
Documentary nails West’s lies on Xinjiang’s fight against terrorism
The documentary, Lies and Truth-Vocational Education and Training in Xinjiang, produced by the Xinjiang Development Research Center, a local think tank, has been on air since late August.
As the documentary’s first part, Source of Violence and Terror, shows, there were mounting calls to protect people’s lives and properties from the increasing attacks by separatists, religious extremists and terrorists in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. When life is in danger, protecting human rights and people’s right to development is not possible.
From: China Daily
Authorities order increased pay for nurses
Local health authorities and medical institutions are required to raise incomes and improve practicing environments for nurses to increase their incentives and retain such workers, the National Health Commission said on Sept. 2.
Front-line nurses will be given preference for performance bonuses, promotions or training, according to a notice released by the commission on Sept. 2.
From: China Daily
China holds meeting to commend role models in COVID-19 fight
China held a meeting on Sept. 8 in Beijing to commend role models in the country’s fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presented medals to recipients of the Medal of the Republic and the national honorary title at the Great Hall of the People. Xi also delivered a speech at the meeting.
From: Xinhua
People’s lives are the most important human right: top Chinese epidemiologist
Safeguarding millions of lives in the COVID-19 epidemic is the biggest proof of human rights in China, the country’s top epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan said on a TV program for students around the country on Sept. 8.
From: Xinhua
Xi says no universal path to human rights development
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sept. 14 said that there is no universal path to human rights development in the world. In terms of human rights protection, there is no best way, only the better one.
Xi made the remarks when co-hosting a China-Germany-EU leaders’ meeting in Beijing via video link with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
From: Xinhua
UNGA president lauds China’s success in combating poverty
President of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Tijjani Muhammad-Bande on Sept. 14 lauded China’s great achievements in eradicating poverty and urged the global community to defend multilateralism.
From: Xinhua
Central government urges better protection of arable land
Governments at all levels should implement the strictest arable land protection policies and clamp down on activities that encroach on arable land, according to a circular posted on Sept. 15 on the website of the central government.
To feed the 1.4 billion people in China, governments across the country must take effective measures to protect arable land, said the circular issued by the General Office of the State Council.
From: Xinhua
Chinese envoy stresses multilateralism, unity at UN Human Rights Council session
China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva Chen Xu on Sept. 15 urged the international community to uphold multilateralism, strengthen unity and address global challenges together.
In a statement delivered on behalf of a group of like-minded countries on the second day of the 45th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Chen also called upon the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to treat all human rights on an equal footing.
From: Xinhua
China updates COVID-19 prevention, control guidelines
China’s National Health Commission on Sept. 15 released the latest (seventh) version of COVID-19 prevention and control guidelines, making revisions contents such as COVID-19 etiological and epidemiological features, as well as epidemic monitoring and handling.
From: Xinhua
Chinese institute refutes report on Xinjiang’s “birthrate suppression”
A Chinese institute on Sept. 16 issued an analysis of Adrian Zenz’s Xinjiang report, accusing the latter of being “a hodgepodge of random patchwork and subjective speculation.”
The article by the Human Rights Institute, Southwest University of Political Science & Law, said Zenz’s report “is extremely imprecise, fictionalized the relationship between pictures and texts, maliciously interpreted the cases, and the conclusion has no factual basis.”
From: Xinhua
Correct path set to advance global human rights
China has provided direction on advancing human rights with its action on poverty elimination, Guo Weimin, vice-minister of the State Council Information Office, said on Sept. 16.
It also pursues a people-centered development philosophy, Guo said at the Vision China event broadcast online to a global audience. “While trying to reduce poverty, China puts people first and foremost, upholding social fairness and justice, and promoting people’s overall development,” Guo said.
From: China Daily
Nation seeks more unity in COVID-19, poverty fights
China is willing to step up cooperation with other countries in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, a senior official of the Communist Party of China said.
It is part of a broader effort to curb global poverty and fight other challenges facing developing countries, said Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the committee’s publicity department.
He made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the Forum on 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and China’s Poverty Reduction Experience, a three-day online event held by China Global Television Network Think Tank that began being aired by the State broadcaster on Sept. 16.
From: China Daily
China aid groups take expertise overseas
The experience of Chinese social organizations in poverty elimination has not only helped improve the wellbeing of Chinese people, but also benefited people in other countries, experts at an international event said.
A webinar, on the theme Contribution of Social Organizations to International Development, was a parallel event to the ongoing 45th session of United Nations Human Rights Council. The video conference was held on Sept. 16.
From: China Daily
China releases white paper on employment, labor rights in Xinjiang
China issued a white paper on employment and labor rights in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Sept. 17.
The white paper, published by the State Council Information Office, says Xinjiang takes the facilitation of employment as the most fundamental project for ensuring and improving people’s wellbeing.
From: Xinhua
Chinese, foreign social organizations discuss poverty alleviation
Twelve representatives from social organizations in China, Cambodia, Mongolia, Ethiopia, and relevant international organizations on Sept. 17 discussed poverty alleviation through video links.
They exchanged views on topics including China’s poverty reduction achievements, the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and global poverty reduction experiences, at a seminar hosted by the China NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE).
From: Xinhua
To protect right to work is to safeguard human rights
China on Sept. 17 published a white paper on the employment and labor rights in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
The white paper, titled Employment and Labor Rights in Xinjiang, comprehensively showcases that the autonomous region takes the facilitation of employment as the most fundamental project for ensuring and improving people’s wellbeing, records the fact that the proactive polices to ensure employment and job security adopted by the local government of Xinjiang have effectively protected all ethnic groups’ basic labor rights, and demonstrates China’s commitment to the people-centered philosophy of development and its protection of citizens’ right to work in accordance with the law.
From: People’s Daily
China to introduce measures to improve elderly care services
China is to introduce new measures to improve the management of nursing homes and standardize the services on offer, with the aim of promoting the sound growth of the elderly care service industry, an official said on Sept. 17.
The new measures, contained in a revised regulation on nursing homes that will take effect on Nov. 1, include provisions on the registration, supervision, operation and legal liabilities of nursing homes, Xiao Dengfeng, an official with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, told a press conference.
From: Xinhua
Envoy calls on world to jointly fight terrorism
The global community should work together to promote multilateralism and international cooperation, and enhance the ability to respond to terrorism and extremism as well as to protect human rights, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Sept.17.
Chen Xu, head of the Chinese Mission to the United Nations at Geneva, urged the pursuit of a community with a shared future for mankind and called on the global community to actively implement the UN global counterterrorism strategy during an online seminar on counterterrorism, deradicalization, and human rights protection.
From: China Daily
China offers path for UN’s future
The 75-year-old United Nations is in dire need of more wisdom and tangible efforts, and China has played a powerful role in this regard in helping to bolster the organization against the lingering headwinds of unilateralism, officials and experts said.
They made the observation when they highlighted and welcomed the four-point proposal raised by President Xi Jinping during a video speech at a high-level meeting held by UN member states on Sept. 21 to commemorate the UN’s 75th anniversary.
From: China Daily Global
Unilateral coercive measures could impact nearly all human rights, warns UN expert
Unilateral coercive measures could impact nearly all human rights, notably in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, a UN expert said on Sept. 22 at the on-going 45th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Alena Douhan, UN Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, said at the session that the role of the United Nations must not be undermined by unilateral coercive measures.
From: Xinhua
Chinese envoy calls for effective poverty reduction to facilitate human rights protection
A Chinese envoy on Sept. 22 called for the effective reduction and eradication of poverty so as to better facilitate the promotion and protection of human rights, when delivering a statement on behalf of a cross-regional group of states at the ongoing 45th session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council.
From: Xinhua
UN chief calls for post-COVID global governance based on solidarity, multilateralism
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sept. 24 called for post-COVID global governance that features solidarity and multilateralism.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a full-blown crisis in itself, unfolding against a backdrop of high geopolitical tensions and other global threats in unpredictable and dangerous ways, he told a summit-level Security Council debate on “global governance after COVID-19.”
From: Xinhua
Chinese diplomat rejects British accusations on Hong Kong, Xinjiang related issues
A Chinese diplomat on Sept. 25 deplored and rejected the accusations of a British official made earlier at the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council session, saying that the Hong Kong and Xinjiang related issues are not human rights issues in any definition.
Liu Yuyin, spokesperson for the Chinese Mission to UN at Geneva, said that the essence of the issues is China’s determination to safeguard its sovereignty, security and unity, uphold rule of law, and ensure that people live in peace and contentment.
From: Xinhua
Xi hails major progress made in Xinjiang
President Xi Jinping has underlined the importance of upholding lasting peace and stability in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, saying development is the crucial foundation for the region’s long-term social stability.’
Xi, who is 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 central symposium on work related to Xinjiang, which concluded on Sept. 26 in Beijing. It was the third such symposium since 2010, with the previous one taking place in 2014.
From: China Daily
October 2020
Xi Jinping says China to donate $10m within 5 years for women’s rights
Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed on Oct. 1 to donate $10 million to UN Women within five years, to accelerate the realization of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
The Chinese president’s promise came while delivering a speech via video at the High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Beijing’s World Conference on Women.
From: CGTN
China, on behalf of 26 countries, criticizes U.S., other Western countries for violating human rights
Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, made a joint statement at the General Debate of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly on Oct. 5, on behalf of 26 countries, criticizing the United States and Western countries for violating human rights, calling for the complete and immediate lifting of unilateral sanctions, and expressing grave concern on systematic racial discrimination.
From: Xinhua
Envoy showcases China’s human rights achievements
China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, on Oct.6 showcased his country’s historic achievements on human rights at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.
Since the founding of the People’s Republic 71 years ago, the Chinese people have made a great leap forward from standing up to getting rich and becoming strong, and made real achievements in human rights, Zhang told the General Debate of the committee.
From: Xinhua
Nearly 70 countries voice support for China on human rights issues
China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, on Oct.6 refuted groundless accusations against China on issues related to Xinjiang and Hong Kong by the United States, Germany, Britain and a few other countries.
Nearly 70 countries voiced their support of China’s stance. Pakistan made a joint statement on behalf of 55 countries, opposing interference in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of Hong Kong. Cuba made a joint statement on behalf of 45 countries in support of China’s counter-terrorism and deradicalization measures in Xinjiang. Kuwait also made a joint statement supporting China on behalf of three Arab nations.
From: CGTN
UN envoy hits back at Western smears
CThe Chinese ambassador to the United Nations said on Oct. 6 that the attempt by the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and several other countries to smear China’s human rights record at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee is doomed to fail.
Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative to the UN, resolutely rebutted the “groundless accusations” the countries made against China and their “wrongful acts of interfering in China’s internal affairs on the excuse of human rights, and provoking confrontation among member states”.
From: China Daily
China shares experience on poverty reduction at UN Human Rights Council Social Forum
The 2020 Social Forum of the UN Human Rights Council focusing on poverty and inequality was held in Geneva, Switzerland on Oct. 8.
Chen Zhigang, Deputy Director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, delivered a speech online to introduce China’s experience and achievementsin poverty alleviation.
From: en.humanrights.cn
China officially joins COVAX vaccine facility
China has signed an agreement with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to officially join the global vaccine initiative known as COVAX, led by the World Health Organization (WHO), Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Oct. 9.
Hua said this is an important step China has taken to uphold the concept of a shared community of health for all and to honor its commitment to turn COVID-19 vaccines into a global public good.
From: CGTN
Support given to job seekers high on agenda
China will adopt new pro-employment measures and enhance its support for key groups of job seekers to meet this year’s job creation targets, the State Council’s executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on Oct. 9.
It was agreed at the meeting that since the start of this year, local governments and departments have implemented strong measures to support employment. The surveyed urban unemployment rate has since dropped steadily from its February peak.
From: China Daily
China’s embassy in Malaysia seeks protection for legitimate rights of detained Chinese sailors
The Chinese Embassy in Malaysia has asked local authorities to protect the legitimate rights and interests of 60 Chinese crew members that Malaysian media reports say were detained along with six fishing vessels by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Saturday, an embassy spokesperson told the Global Times on Oct. 11.
From: CGTN
Human Rights Council elections to be held in UN General Assembly Hall
The elections for the United Nations Human Rights Council will be held in the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Hall on Oct. 13, according to Brenden Varma, spokesman for the UNGA president.
“These are the first elections of the 75th session (of the UNGA), and the first to be held in this manner by the General Assembly,” Varma said on Oct. 12 at the regular briefing.
From: Xinhua
China elected to Human Rights Council for 2021-2023
China on Oct. 13 was elected as a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the term 2021-2023 in the election held at the 75th United Nations General Assembly.
“China expresses heartfelt gratitude to member states for their support and warmly congratulates other elected members,” according to a press release issued by the Chinese mission to the United Nations.
From: Xinhua
Cooperation stressed after UN rights council vote
China’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations on Oct. 13 expressed “heartfelt gratitude to member states for their support” after the country secured a seat for a three-year term on the Human Rights Council in an election during the 75th UN General Assembly.
“China always attaches great importance to the promotion and protection of human rights. Following a path with Chinese characteristics, China has made great achievements in human rights development,” said a statement released by the
delegation, which also extended warm congratulations to other elected members.
From: China Daily
China’s draft law on personal information protection
The draft of the personal information protection law was submitted to the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) for first review on Oct. 13.
Comprising eight chapters and 70 articles, the draft covers a broad range of areas surrounding personal information.
From: CGTN
China’s top legislator calls on lawmakers to put people first
China’s top legislator has urged the deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC) to put the people first, rely on the people, work for the people’s well-being and maintain close contact with them in all respects while performing their duties.
Li Zhanshu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, made the remarks Wednesday at a symposium with 51 NPC deputies,
most of whom come from the grassroots levels, on the sidelines of a legislative session that opened on Oct. 13.
From: Xinhua
China stresses punishment on illegal behavior intended for blackmail
China vows to strengthen the crackdown on illegal behavior intended for blackmail, a problem of great concern to the people, according to new guidelines issued on Oct. 14.
The guidelines, jointly released by the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security, identify and specify several illegal acts, such as deliberately crashing a car to claim compensation, and their corresponding punishments.
From: CGTN
Tibet achieves “major victory” in poverty relief
There is no so-called forced transfer of labor in the Tibet autonomous region, Qizhala, chairman of the regional government, said on Oct. 15, pointing out that farmers and herdsmen were eager to leave their hometowns to take up vocational training in order to enhance their skills and boost their incomes.
Speaking at a news conference in Lhasa, the region’s capital, on Tibet’s poverty alleviation work, Qizhala gave the example of Shuanghu county, where herding cattle and sheep used to be the only source of employment.
From: China Daily Global
In historical feat, Tibet eliminates absolute poverty
Southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region has accomplished the historical feat of eradicating absolute poverty, according to a press briefing held in the regional capital of Lhasa on Oct. 15.
By the end of 2019, Tibet had lifted 628,000 people out of poverty and delisted 74 county-level areas from the poverty list, said Wu Yingjie, Communist Party of China chief of Tibet, calling the achievement a “major victory.”
From: Xinhua
Job market maintains stability as unemployment drops
The nation’s job market has remained stable with its unemployment rate continuing to fall in past few months, said a senior official of the National Bureau of Statistics at a conference organized by the State Council Information Office on Oct.19.
Liu Aihua, the bureau’s spokesperson, said that in September, the nation’s surveyed unemployment rate in urban areas was 5.4 percent, down 0.2 percentage points from that in August, a remarkable rise from 6.2 percent fall back in February.
From: China Daily
China’s Xinjiang issues report on employment of ethnic groups
Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Oct. 20 issued a report on the employment of ethnic groups in the region.
The report, released by the Xinjiang Development Research Center, concludes that governments at all levels as well as enterprises in Xinjiang, and other provinces and cities have actively helped people of different ethnic minority groups find jobs and fully safeguarded their basic rights such as labor right and the right to development.
From: Xinhua
Ignoring nay-sayers, women can achieve success by self-empowerment
This year, the world celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Women’s Rights Conference in Beijing. Since then, many discussions, forums and all-women events have happened in different countries as the role of women in society grew outside of housework.
On Oct. 24, Beijing hosted the biggest all-women offline event Nu Women Empowerment Summit, intended to create a safe environment for women to share their experiences, struggles, and achievements.
From: CGTN
Ethnic unity, human rights protection in Xinjiang obvious to all:spokesperson
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region’s achievements in economic and social development, poverty alleviation, ethnic unity and harmony, and human rights, and the outcome of counter-terrorism and de-radicalization efforts are there for all to see, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Oct. 26.
Diplomatic envoys posted in China from 20 Arab states and the Arab League toured Xinjiang from Oct. 19 to 22. Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a press briefing while answering a query about the just-concluded visit of Arab envoys to Xinjiang.
From: Xinhua
Xinjiang migrant workers work to pursue happy life, self development:report
The outbound migrant workers in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region are all voluntary and have vastly improved the quality of life and enjoyed more development opportunities, according to a report released on Oct. 26.
The report, titled “Investigation Report on the Situation of Xinjiang Outbound Young Migrant Workers of All Ethnic Groups,” was based on a combination of field investigations, questionnaires, and in-depth interviews conducted by a research team of the Human Rights Institute of Southwest University of Political Science & Law.
From: Xinhua
Rural income continues its upward climb, shrinking gap
Rural earnings have been rising steadily in China, and the wealth gap between rural and urban residents is narrowing, Liu Huanxin, vice-minister of agriculture and rural affairs, said on Oct. 27.
“The growth rate for the forth quarter is expected to continue to rise, and rural people will get a stronger sense of gain and happiness as we are nearing the goal of building a moderately prosperous society,” he said at a news conference held by the State Council Information Office.
From: China Daily
Nature loss means deadlier future pandemics, UN warns
Future pandemics will happen more often, kill more people and wreak even worse damage to the global economy than COVID-19 without a fundamental shift in how humans treat nature, the United Nations’ biodiversity panel said on Oct. 29.
Warning that there are up to 850,000 viruses which, like the novel coronavirus, exist in animals and may be able to infect people, the panel known as IPBES said pandemics represented an “existential threat” to humanity.
From: CGTN
China urges U.S. to fulfill obligations under int’l anti-crime conventions
China on Oct. 29 expressed firm opposition to the United States slandering China’s efforts to hunt down fugitives and recover illicit money, urging the U.S. to fulfill its obligations under international anti-crime and anti-corruption conventions.
Wang Wenbin, spokesperson with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the comments in response to the U.S. filing charges against eight participants in China’s “Fox Hunt” efforts and arresting five of them.
From: CGTN
November 2020
U.S. has no qualifications or right to pose as “human rights preacher”:FM
The United States has neither the qualifications nor the right to pose as a “human rights preacher”, nor should it become a spreader of political viruses and a disseminator of false information, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Nov. 2.
Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a press briefing in response to the U.S. State Department accusing China of violating human rights in areas related to Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong and religious freedom.
From: Xinhua
Xinjiang religious freedom fully guaranteed: report
The Islamic Association of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Nov. 3 released a report on freedom of religious belief in the northwestern Chinese region.
Recently, some anti-China forces from the United States and some other Western countries have been wantonly spreading fallacies that Xinjiang “restricts freedom of religious belief” and “demolishes mosques by force”, the report said.
From: Xinhua
China donates to UNICEF to tackle severe acute malnutrition in Senegal
China has made a donation worth 1 million U.S. dollars to help the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) assist severely malnourished children in Senegal as part of the response to COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF Senegal said on Nov. 3 in a press release.
UNICEF’s representative in Senegal Silvia Danailov thanked China for mobilizing aid important to supporting their efforts alongside Senegal, noting that the donation will help improve children’s survival.
From: Xinhua
China to improve quality of people’s lives
China will further improve the quality of people’s lives and the level of social construction, according to the full text of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee’s development proposals released on Nov. 3.
From: Xinhua
US human rights record criticized at UN session
The United States’ human rights record was examined by a working group session of the UN Human Rights Council on Nov. 9, with many countries criticizing the US human rights situation and proposing recommendations to the country.
Representatives of more than 110 countries spoke at the session of the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review Working Group, or UPR. They urged the US to eliminate all kinds of discrimination based on race, religion and gender, combat hate speech and religious intolerance, reform the judiciary, eliminate police violence, change a policy of isolating migrant children from their parents, and protect the right to health of the public during epidemics.
From: China Daily
Report accuses US of double standard
In the name of so-called human rights, religion, ethnicity, democracy and freedom, the United States has been pushing the internationalization of secessionism in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, a report said.
It has also provided support to separatist forces in Taiwan, the Tibet autonomous region and Hong Kong to contain the development of China, which it sees as a “strategic rival”, according to the report published on Nov. 10 by the Institute for Central Asia Studies, part of the Center for National Security Studies at Lanzhou University.
From: China Daily
Law boosting benefits for veterans OK’d
The top legislature passed a law on support for veterans on Nov. 11 that will comprehensively improve benefits for those who have served in the armed forces.
The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress reviewed the law’s third draft on Nov. 10 and adopted it on Nov. 11. The law will take effect on Jan. 1.
From: China Daily
Chinese peacekeepers donate supplies to South Sudan’s police for COVID-19 fight
The Chinese peacekeepers on Nov. 11 donated materials to help South Sudan’s Central Equatoria regional police boost the fight against COVID-19, the Chinese embassy in South Sudan said.
Chinese UN police (UNPOL) serving in the United Nations mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) also shared best practices and experience in mitigating the pandemic.
From: Xinhua
Local Uygur residents deny “forced labor” allegations in Western media
Members of the Uygur ethnic groups from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region denied the so-called “slave labor” during a press conference in Urumqi on Nov. 13.
At least seven residents from counties in Hotan Prefecture and Turpan City – some of whom work in factories, – shared their experiences with reporters and spoke up against what they said were baseless claims in foreign media.
From: CGTN
Xi Jinping calls for protecting people’s rights, interests to advance law-based governance
President Xi Jinping has called for a people-centered approach to advance lawbased governance in all fields in China, stressing that people’s rights and interests must be protected.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks at a central work conference on law-based governance in all fields in Beijing on Nov. 16 and Nov. 17.
From: CGTN
China boosts employment support to eradicate absolute poverty
China has been bolstering employment support for the poor amid the country’s numerous poverty alleviation efforts.
More than 90 percent of the registered poverty-stricken population have received support in employment or benefited from poverty relief policies through industrial development in rural areas, Li Zhong, vice minister of human resources and social security, told a press conference on Nov. 19.
From: Xinhua
Over 300 million people applied for the digital social security card in China
As of the October 31, 94.9 percent (1.329 billion) of Chinese citizens have already applied for and received the social security card, the country’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said on Nov. 20.
Since the first digital social security card was put into use in April 2018, it has become popular due to its reliability and increasingly rich features. The social service functions in it have been incrementally launched, such as social rights record sheet, pension budget and the exemption of overseas social securities.
From: CGTN
China gives pledge on access for COVID origins probe: WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has had assurances from China that an international field trip to investigate the origins of the new coronavirus will be arranged as soon as possible, its top emergency expert said on Nov. 23.
Chinese researchers are carrying out epidemiological studies into early cases and conditions at a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus was first identified in the country.
An international team of experts has been formed to carry out phase 2 studies.
From: CGTN
New rules issued for livestream sales upon controversy over quality
China rolled out new restrictions on livestream sales on e-commerce platforms, after several influencers, including “lipstick king” Li Jiqai, face public backlash over the quality of the products and services.
According to the new rules issued by the National Radio and Television Administration on Nov. 23, the e-commerce platforms should verify qualifications of retailers who are going to launch livestreams sales. All the certifications should be well reserved for inspections.
From: CGTN
Say NO to violence against women and girls
Violence against women and girls is an egregious violation of fundamental human rights, and it continues to be one of the most persistent development challenges globally. Nov. 25 marks the commencement of 16 Days of Activism to End GenderBased Violence, a global campaign that runs through Dec. 10. On the occasion, Smriti Aryal, Head of the Office for UN Women China, calls for greater commitment and actions and joint efforts to create a safe and dignified world for all women and girls in China and the rest of the world.
From: CGTN
Standards issued for collection, usage of facial information
A new standard on applications’ collection and usage of personal information was published and started to take effect on Nov. 26, requiring that all must follow the principle of “minimization and necessity”.
The standard was part of a rule published by the Telecommunication Terminal Industry Forum Association (TAF), targeting a widely-concerned issue: the protection of private information in the digital era.
From: CGTN
UN chief calls for greater inclusion of persons with disabilities in society
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Nov. 30 called for greater inclusion of persons with disabilities in society, including in COVID-19 response and recovery.
The UN chief was addressing countries that are parties to the 2006 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which he stressed can only be fully implemented by tackling the obstacles, injustices and discrimination that this population experiences.
From: Xinhua
China has near zero HIV cases from blood transfusion in last 5 years
China’s National Health Commission said on Nov. 30 that nearly zero cases of HIV caused by blood transfusion were reported during the country’s 13th Five Year Plan period (2016-2020) while a significant drop has been seen in infections transmitted via other routes, such as mother-to-fetus transmission and drug injections.
From: CGTN
UN: COVID-19 pandemic has amplified human rights abuses on nearly 40 million people
The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the risk of violence, discrimination and rights abuses on nearly 40 million people internally displaced or affected by conflict around the world, various international agencies said on Nov. 30.
A new report released by the UNHCR, Norwegian Refugee Council and the UN Refugee Agency-led Global Protection Cluster (GPC) noted that some of the people hardest hit by the pandemic were those with no access to protection services.
From: CGTN
December 2020
China’s ecological programs lift over 20 million out of poverty: official
More than 20 million people living under China’s poverty line shook off poverty through ecological poverty-relief programs, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA).
The country has so far completed all tasks of its ecological poverty-relief programs while coordinating poverty alleviation with ecological protection, NFGA deputy director Li Chunliang told a press conference on Dec. 1.
From: Xinhua
President Xi congratulates UN meeting marking International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to a meeting held by the United Nations (UN) on Dec. 1 to observe the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
In his message, Xi pointed out that the Palestinian issue, as a root problem in the Middle East, bears on regional peace and stability, on international equity and justice, and on human conscience and morality.
From: CGTN
Xi announces major victory in poverty alleviation
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said on Dec. 3 that China has accomplished its poverty alleviation target of the new era as scheduled and achieved a significant victory that impresses the world.
Through eight years of sustained work, China has lifted all rural poor population under the current standard out of poverty and nearly 100 million poor people have shaken off poverty, Xi made the remarks while presiding over a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
From: Xinhua
UN Chief calls for involvement of persons living with disabilities in pandemic recovery efforts
Persons living with disabilities are among the worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Dec. 3 as the world marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
In his message, Guterres called for the involvement of persons living with disabilities in the world’s quest to emerge from the effects of the pandemic which had ravaged the world for the better part of 2020.
From: CGTN
Yunnan eradicates absolute poverty, through many ways
With government help, more than 3.18 million people in southwest China’s Yunnan Province have found jobs in other regions, a move that will help them shake off poverty, officials said on Dec. 8.
A labor transfer policy was initiated in 2015 to lift impoverished households out of poverty by obtaining employment in other regions, Wang Yubo, acting governor of Yunnan, told a press conference in the provincial capital of Kunming.
From: Xinhua
Promise of human rights must be met with greater actions
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the world was confronted with the daunting tasks of combating poverty, reducing inequality and curbing discrimination, problems that are detrimental to the promotion of human rights worldwide.
With the cataclysmic pandemic continuing across the globe, the plight of the vulnerable is only being exacerbated. Human Rights Day, which falls on Dec. 10, is a timely reminder for the international community to meet the promise of protecting human rights with more substantial efforts. The most immediate task to guarantee human rights is to beat the pandemic as fast as possible.
From: Xinhua
Targeted poverty alleviation enables the disabled to pursue dreams
China’s targeted poverty alleviation efforts have played an effective role in helping its disabled people out of poverty, with supportive measures covering almost all of the 85 million people with disabilities.
At a press briefing on Dec. 11, Xie Hongde, head of the office of poverty relief at the China Disabled Persons’ Federation, introduced China’s efforts in eradicating poverty for the disabled over the past eight years. The targeted supporting measures include subsistence allowance, concentrated nursing services and employment guidance, Xie said.
From: Xinhua
China helps accelerate process of international poverty reduction
China is willing to work with all countries to promote international poverty reduction and build a community with a shared future for humanity, said Chinese President Xi Jinping in a congratulatory letter to the International Forum on Sharing Poverty Reduction Experience, which opened in Beijing on Dec. 14.
China is willing to work with all countries to promote international poverty reduction and build a community with a shared future for humanity, said Chinese President Xi Jinping in a congratulatory letter to the International Forum on Sharing Poverty Reduction Experience, which opened in Beijing on Dec. 14.
In the letter, Xi also expounded on the historical process, great achievements and international contribution of the efforts made by the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government in poverty alleviation.
From: People’s Daily online
China moves to improve salaries of high-skilled technicians
The Chinese government will roll out plans and policies to improve the salary of technical workers, rendering them a part of middle-income groups in the following five years, officials of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS) said at a news briefing on Dec.18.
The move comes at a time when skills gap and worker shortage is particularly acute for blue-collar jobs. Official data shows that though the country has more than 200 million technical workers, which includes 50 million high-skilled technical workers, the number compared with that of developed countries is pretty small. In China, the proportion of manual laborers accounts for only 26 percent in the job market.
From: CGTN
Seminar on human rights discourse held in north China city
A seminar on human rights discourse was held in north China’s Tianjin municipality on Dec. 19, 2020. Over 50 experts and scholars from human rights research institutes across the country attended the event in person or via video conference.
The event, jointly hosted by China Society for Human Rights Studies and the human rights research center in Tianjin-based Nankai University, coincided with the 10th anniversary of the release of the report on China’s human rights development, or the annual human rights blue book.
From: Xinhua
Tibet sees progress in health, life expectancy
Average life expectancy in the Tibet autonomous region rose to 70.6 years at the end of 2019 from 35.5 years in the 1950s, Xinhua News Agency reported on Dec. 21. In the interval between 2012 and 2019, average life expectancy in the region rose by 2.4 years.
Tibet has also witnessed significant improvements in key health indicators, including mortality of infants and children, maternal mortality and the hospital delivery rate over the last five years.
Infant mortality declined from 13.87 percent 1,000 in 2016 to 8.9 percent 1,000 at the end of last year. In the same period, maternal mortality dropped to 63.68 percent 100,000 at the end of 2019 from about 110 percent 100,000 in 2016.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Xinjiang Situation: “Camera installed to monitor Muslims” is “pure lie”
Against the accusations made by certain Western media outlets, officials and religious people from northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region say rumors like “forced labor” in Xinjiang and local government installed cameras “to supervise religious people” are purely “slander.”
Elijan Anayit, spokesperson for the Information Office of the People’s Government of Xinjiang, said on Dec. 21 at a news briefing that the accusations of so- called “forced-labor” and “oppression” couldn’t be further from the truth.
From: CGTN
China sets new rules to ban discrimination in online job recruitment
China has decided to rid the recruitment process of all sorts of discrimination based on gender, ethnicity and religious beliefs. The task will be accomplished through a set of new regulations issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on Dec. 23. These rules will take effect from March 1, 2021.
From: CGTN
Law stipulates heavier punishments to protect minors from sexual assault
Chinese legislators and courts pledged over the weekend to intensify the fight against sexual assaults of children in an effort to strengthen juvenile protection and provide them with a better legal environment.
The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, adopted an amendment to the Criminal Law on Dec. 26 that stipulates heavier punishments for those who sexually assault girls.
The amended law will take effect on March 1.
From: China Daily
China offers 8 million beds for elderly care: ministry
China has accelerated the development of its elderly care services, with more than 8 million beds available for the elderly, a 7 percent increase from last year, said the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
China has accelerated the development of its elderly care services, with more than 8 million beds available for the elderly, a 7 percent increase from last year, said the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
There were 254 million people aged 60 or above in China at the end of 2019, and the number will grow to 300 million in 2025, said Li Jiheng, minister of civil affairs, at a national conference on civil affairs work on Dec. 26.
From: Xinhua
COVID-19 crisis will not be the last pandemic: WHO chief
The coronavirus crisis will not be the last pandemic, and attempts to improve human health are “doomed” without tackling climate change and animal welfare, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) chief said in a video message on Dec. 27, marking the first International Day of Epidemic Preparedness.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also condemned the “dangerously shortsighted” cycle of throwing cash at outbreaks but doing nothing to prepare for the next one.
From: CGTN
More human rights education bases set up in China
Six national education and training bases on human rights were set up in China recently, bringing the total number of such bases to 14.
The institutions newly authorized to serve as national education and training bases are human rights research centers at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jilin University, Northwest University of Political Science and Law, Central South University, Southeast University, and Beijing Institute of Technology.
From: Xinhua
Zero tolerance policy in force against those who abuse senior citizens
Civil affairs departments showed “zero tolerance” to any senior care staff member’s behavior of mistreating senior citizens, a senior civil affairs official said on Dec. 29.
“We’ve heard of some staff members at senior care centers abuse or assault elderly people. For such behaviors, we insist on the ‘zero tolerance’ principle and will strongly oppose and crack down on such behaviors,” Gao Xiaobing, vice-minister of civil affairs, said at a news briefing held in Beijing.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
