News-Clips (2021. 06-2021. 07)
June 2021
Disabled Chinese children benefit from gov’t-led rehab scheme
Disabled children in China have received 676,000 rehabilitation services from a government-led relief scheme since 2018, the China Disabled Persons’ Federation said on June 1.
Rolled out three years ago and dedicated to children with disabilities, the scheme has seen a year-on-year increase in the number of kids acquiring such relief, according to the federation.
From: Xinhua
China Focus: “Reunion” campaign helps find over 1,600 missing,abducted children
Chinese police have located or rescued 1,680 missing or abducted children this year, including adults who went missing or were kidnapped as children, the Ministry of Public Security said on June 1.
Since the nationwide campaign of “Tuanyuan” meaning reunion in Chinese, was launched in January, police have resolved 85 cold cases involving child abduction or trafficking, the ministry told a press conference.
From: Xinhua
China sees fewer arrests, indictments related to school violence,bullying
The number of arrests and indictments for crimes related to school bullying and violence on campus in China dropped significantly from 2017 to 2020, thanks to China’s campus safety efforts, the country’s top procuratorate said on June 1.
In 2020, procuratorial agencies across the country approved 583 arrests for relevant offenses, a decrease from 4,157 in 2017, according to a white paper on juvenile-related procuratorial work released by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP).
From: Xinhua
China sees progress in employment for relocated rural people
China has made progress in employment for people relocated amid its povertyalleviation program, data from the country’s top economic planner showed on June 3.
Some 3.78 million of these people were employed so far, which means that at least one family member with working capabilities of these relocated households has a job, said Tong Zhangshun, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission.
From: Xinhua
China dispatches vaccine, syringe aid to 66 countries
China has completed dispatching COVID-19 vaccines and syringes to 66 countries and one international organization as of June 7 amid efforts to provide vaccine aid and strengthen international cooperation, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said.
The MOC, along with relevant government bodies, will ensure that vaccines are delivered to recipient countries as soon as possible, said Qian Chunying, an official with the ministry, on June 7.
From: Xinhua
China-Europe seminar focuses on COVID-19, right to life and health
An international seminar was held on June 8 in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality and in Italy’s Rome, focusing on COVID-19 and the right to life and health.
The 2021 China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights was held both online and offline, with over 180 participants from home and abroad in attendance, including political figures, experts, scholars, business people, artists and the media.
From: Xinhua
Tribunals help protect the rights of children
China has stepped up efforts to promote judicial protection of children, with more than 1,800 juvenile tribunals set up in courts nationwide by the end of last month to strengthen juvenile protection and crime prevention, an official from China’s top court said on June 8.
The State Council’s leading group for the protection of minors issued a guideline on June 6 that called for their enhanced protection in six areas: family, school, society, the internet, government, and the judiciary.
From: CHINA DAILY
Chinese state councilor stresses ensuring food safety
Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong on June 8 urged continuous efforts to guarantee the country’s food safety.
People’s lives and health should be put first, said Wang, calling for efforts to firmly stick to the bottom line of ensuring food safety.
From: Xinhua
China increases penalties for workplace safety violations in new law amendment
China’s top legislature on June 10 adopted an amendment to the Law on Workplace Safety.
The amendment stipulates heavier penalties for workplace safety violations by production and business operation entities and their responsible persons.
From: Xinhua
Xinjiang’s population increases 18.5 percent over past decade
The population of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region increased by 18.52 percent from 2010 to 2020, the country’s seventh population census showed.
Xinjiang’s permanent population had reached 25.85 million by October 2020, a rise of about 4.04 million from the country’s sixth population census in 2010, the latest census data released on June 14 by the regional statistic bureau showed.
From: Xinhua
New department to supervise after-school training program
China’s Ministry of Education on June 15 announced the establishment of a special department for supervising after-school education and training programs.
It will set out the standards for the content and duration of both online and offline training, the qualifications of tutors as well as the charges, and will oversee their implementation jointly with relevant authorities, according to the ministry.
From: Xinhua
China’s surveyed urban unemployment rate drops in May
China’s surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5 percent in May, 0.9 percentage points lower than the same period last year, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on June 16.
Compared with the April level, the May figure was 0.1 percentage points lower, said the NBS. A total of 5.74 million new urban jobs were created in the first five months.
From: Xinhua
China’s Inner Mongolia gains ground in controlling desertification
The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region that lies at the forefront of China’s fight against desertification has witnessed remarkable growth of green coverage, local authorities said on June 17.
Thanks to its afforestation efforts, the region’s forest coverage rate and the comprehensive vegetation coverage of grassland have reached 23 percent and 45 percent, respectively, the regional forestry and grassland bureau said.
From: Xinhua
Forum discusses fighting desertification in BRI nations
An online forum where researchers and experts gathered to discuss how to combat desertification in countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative was held on June 17, which is also the United Nation’s Desertification and Drought Day.
More than 300 representatives from universities, institutes, enterprises and international organizations attended the forum which was held by the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
China’s top court specifies rules for online litigation
China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) on June 17 issued a set of rules for courts to handle online litigation, in an effort to promote and regulate digital litigation services.
The rules stipulate that online litigation has the same legal effect as that filed on paper, and provide that the litigation rights of the parties concerned are fully protected in the process.
From: Xinhua
Canada’s using human rights as political tool at UN doomed to failure: Chinese diplomat
Canada’s spreading disinformation to frame China at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is nothing but using human rights as a political tool, and is doomed to failure, a senior Chinese diplomat said on June 17.
Ahead of the 47th regular session of the UNHRC, which is scheduled from June 21 to July 13, Canada is leading in making a Xinjiang-related joint statement at the interactive dialogue on the annual report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
From: Xinhua
Eldercare services to become more affordable, accessible and reliable
The Ministry of Civil Affairs will draft a spectrum of policies from land acquisition to financing to talent in an attempt to bolster the supply of affordable, accessible and reliable services for the fast-growing elder population, a ministry official said on June 18.
Efforts will be made to let market play the “decisive role” in the distribution of eldercare resources, said Li Banghua, deputy head of the ministry’s eldercare service department.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Seven decades on, Tibet ecology a success story
The Tibet autonomous region has made steady progress in addressing desertification along with other environmental issues in recent years as it seeks to
build an ecological security shield on the frigid Qinghai-Tibet plateau in Southwest China, a regional government official said on June 18.
The region’s forested areas had reached more than 12 percent of its total area by 2020, with 81.4 billion yuan ($12.6 billion) worth of funding having been pumped into local environment restoration efforts over the past seven decades, said Luo Jie, head of Tibet’s ecology and environment department.
From: China Daily
Poverty relief exchanges help ASEAN
ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi has hailed poverty relief exchanges between China and the regional body as being crucial to Southeast Asian countries’ recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The global novel coronavirus outbreak is reversing progress made in curbing poverty in the region in recent decades, putting its people at “heightened risk of falling back into deeper poverty”, he said in a video speech at the 15th ASEAN-China Forum on Social Development and Poverty Reduction on June 22.
From: CHINA DAILY
65 countries jointly oppose interference in China’s internal affairsunder pretext of human rights
Belarus, on behalf of 65 countries, delivered a joint speech on June 22 at the 47th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council held in Geneva, stressing that respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries and non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states are basic norms governing international relations.
The affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Tibet Autonomous Region are China’s internal affairs, and the outside world should not interfere, according to the statement.
From: CGTN
China calls for international cooperation on human rights
A senior Chinese diplomat on June 22 called on countries to work together to promote international cooperation on human rights and uphold international justice.
Chen Xu, China’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG), made the remarks while delivering a joint statement on behalf of a group of countries at the ongoing 47th Session of the UN Human Rights Council.
From: Xinhua
Pandemic slowing poverty relief progress: Expert
The novel coronavirus pandemic has slowed the world’s progress in protecting people’s economic, social and cultural rights, and the situation requires ever closer cooperation among the United Nations, countries and regions, as well as social groups, an expert said.
Wang Xingzui, executive vice-president of the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, said at an online conference on June 25 that protecting people’s economic, social and cultural rights has long been a focus of the UN Human Rights Council, as it’s key to the life and welfare of billions of people all over the world, especially those living in developing countries.
From: China Daily
Bullet train debuts on new railway in Tibet
The first electrified railway in southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region opened on June 25, linking regional capital Lhasa with the city of Nyingchi, as
“Fuxing” bullet trains enter official operation on the plateau region.
With a length of 435 km and a designed speed of 160 km per hour, the new railway is a single-line electrified railway. The newly opened Lhasa-Nyingchi railway has provided southeast Tibet with access to railway services for the first time in history.
From: Xinhua
Chinese NGOs call for more international efforts to safeguard right to development
Some Chinese NGOs and international experts have called for more efforts from non-government sectors to help safeguard human rights during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the right to food, education, housing and decent work.
The calls were made at a parallel event for the 47th Session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, which was held online from Beijing on June 28, about non-governmental organization (NGO)’s contribution to the right to development.
From: CGTN
Education ministry opens financial-aid hotlines for college students
China’s Ministry of Education has opened hotlines for inquiries on college financial-aid programs, according to an announcement published on the ministry website on June 29.
This marks the 17th year in a row that the ministry has opened such hotlines for inquiries and complaints regarding the country’s financial-aid policies for college students.
From: Xinhua
Rights of the disabled continue to strengthen
China has constantly strengthened protection of the rights of people with disabilities and gradually improved their legal protection, experts said during an online human rights seminar on June 29.
Organized by the China Society for Human Rights Studies, the seminar, with the theme “Legal Development and Disability Rights”, was a side event of the 47th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
From: CHINA DAILY
China to steadily improve social security benefits
China will steadily improve its social security benefits and other social safety-net programs during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), a plan released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced on June 30.
In the five years, China plans to establish a basic pension scheme for enterprise employees under unified national management and boost the supplementary pension fund to over 4 trillion yuan (about 619 billion U.S. dollars).
From: Xinhua
July 2021
China accomplishes building of moderately prosperous society in all respects: Xi
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, announced on July 1 that China has realized the first centenary goal — building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.
“This means that we have brought about a historic resolution to the problem of absolute poverty in China, and we are now marching in confident strides toward the second centenary goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects,” Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said at a ceremony marking the CPC centenary.
From: Xinhua
Chinese experts call for revival of human rights’ concept
Chinese experts called for a revival of the concept “human rights,” saying the cause of “human rights” is becoming an excuse for hegemony, hampering
international solidarity.
The calls were made on July 2 at a parallel event for the 47th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which was held online in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, with the theme “Human Rights and International Solidarity.”
From: CGTN
HK chief: Residents’ human rights unaffected by national security law
The national security law for Hong Kong only targets an “extremely small minority of criminals” that endanger national security. At the same time, the human rights and freedom enjoyed by the overwhelming majority of the residents will not be affected at all, said Carrie Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), on July 5.
Lam made the remarks at a legal forum on the national security law — officially known as the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR. The forum, hosted by the Department of Justice of the HKSAR government, was held a few days after the first anniversary of the law’s implementation.
From: CGTN
U.S. Human Rights: NGO leaders call on UN to increase monitoring of racism in U.S.
Experts and NGOs have called on the UN Human Rights Council to take action against systemic racism in the United States. The calls were made on July 5 at a
parallel event for the 47th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, held online from Beijing.
Speaking at the event, the director general of the UN Association of China expressed concerns over the mistreatment of racial minorities in the U.S., especially Asian Americans after the COVID-19 outbreak.
From: CGTN
Li vows better protection of workers’ rights
China will better protect the rights and interests of workers engaged in new forms of employment, to boost flexible employment, create jobs and increase people’s income, the State Council’s Executive Meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on July 7.
“The lawful rights and interests of workers engaged in new forms of employment must be upheld. The flexibly employed now total over 200 million across the country. Last year, we realized fairly sufficient employment, and flexible employment saw an increase of 7.7 percent,” Li said. “New forms of employment have become a key source of job opportunities and an important underpinning for keeping overall employment stable.”
From: CHINA DAILY
Experts call for efforts to curb U.S. cyber surveillance
Experts attending a seminar via video link under the 47th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council called for global efforts to curb the large-scale cyber surveillance conducted by the U.S. on other countries on July 9.
Nine experts among other participants discussed the situation in three aspects related with the U.S. cyber surveillance: the U.S. legislation and practice on cyber surveillance, the evaluation of the U.S. behavior based on international law and the efforts against such hegemony.
From: CGTN
Experts call for more respect for different human rights models
Experts from China and other countries called for more respect from the international community on different models of human rights development at a parallel event on minority rights protection for the 47th Session of UN Human Rights Council on July 9 in Beijing.
Men Lijun, vice president and secretary general of China Foundation for Human Rights Development, said that the key to protect minority rights should be improving their living and development conditions.
From: CGTN
NGOs, experts call for peace, development in human rights protection
Leaders of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and experts from China, Cambodia and other developing countries called for a stronger focus on development in the global human rights cause.
The calls were made during a parallel event for the 47th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, held online from Beijing on July 9, with the theme “Promote Human Rights through Development — Practices of NGOs.”
From: CGTN
Big declines seen in infectious diseases
China witnessed significant drops in new cases of nearly all major infectious diseases last year, with the number of new HIV/AIDS infections seeing its first yearon-year decline in a decade, according to an annual health development communique released by the National Health Commission on July 12.
The number of viral hepatitis cases dropped by 11.5 percent year-on-year, with tuberculosis cases down by about 13.6 percent, the communique said.
From: CHINA DAILY
UN rights body adopts resolution on development
The 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council on July 12 adopted a resolution, highlighting that development and the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.
Co-sponsored by China and a number of other countries, the resolution, titled “The contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights,” emphasizes the important role of inclusive and sustainable development in promoting and protecting human rights.
From: Xinhua
China issues white paper on protecting rights of Xinjiang’s ethnic groups
China’s State Council Information Office on July 14 issued a white paper detailing the country’s progress in protecting the rights of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
The white paper, titled “Respecting and Protecting the Rights of All Ethnic Groups in Xinjiang,” said the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government have upheld a people-centered approach to human rights protection and Xinjiang has made steady progress in this regard over the past 70-plus years.
From: Xinhua
Xinjiang residents debunk lies of human rights violations with personal experiences
Residents from northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on July 15 debunked lies from politicians of some Western countries on human rights violations in Xinjiang with their personal experiences.
At a press conference held in Beijing by the Xinjiang regional government, several Xinjiang residents shared their own stories via video link.
From: Xinhua
Country’s first labor court opens
China’s first court for handling labor disputes opened in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, on July 16 to better protect workers’ rights and maintain good relations between employers and employees.
Suzhou Labor Court was set up as a division of the Suzhou Intermediate People’s Court after the Supreme People’s Court, the country’s top court, approved its creation in June.
From: CHINA DAILY
Aid boosts Xinjiang’s economic development
Despite the pandemic, assistance from 19 provinces and municipalities has effectively helped the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to boost social and economic development, thereby winning the tough battle against poverty and improving ethnic unity, a senior Party official said.
Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the CPPCC National Committe, called for continued comprehensive, targeted and long-term support to Xinjiang through the “pairing assistance” program, at the eighth national meeting on pairing assistance to Xinjiang. The meeting was held in Aksu, Xinjiang, from July 19 to July 21.
From: CHINA DAILY
China to continue protecting legitimate rights, interests of one-child families
China will continue to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of families with only one child, according to a decision released on July 20.
The country will continue to implement its current reward and assistance system and preferential policies for families with only one child and rural families with only two daughters, born before the two-child policy, said the decision on improving birth policies to promote long-term and balanced population development, adopted by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.
From: Xinhua
Xi stresses prioritizing people’s safety, property in flood prevention, control
Chinese President Xi Jinping on July 21 demanded that authorities at all levels must give top priority to ensuring people’s safety and property, and carefully and strictly implement the flood prevention and disaster relief measures.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in an important instruction after continuous heavy rainfall hit regions including central China’s Henan Province, causing heavy casualties and property losses.
From: Xinhua
State councilor stresses improving lives of disabled people
Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong has emphasized efforts to develop programs for people with disabilities and improve their lives.
Wang made the remarks on July 22 during a work conference on the development of programs for people with disabilities.
From: Xinhua
Premier: Bolster flood control, disaster relief efforts
Premier Li Keqiang called on July 26 for stronger early warning and first response mechanisms to beef up flood control and disaster relief measures, saying that the central government will mobilize a fund of several billion yuan from its contingency reserve to help flood-hit areas.
Speaking during a videoconference in Beijing on fighting the floods and providing disaster relief, Li said the central government will scale up relief measures based on a more thorough assessment of the situation, and local authorities must arrange special funding and use the donations in a transparent manner.
From: CHINA DAILY
Measures urged to ensure safety of rain-affected people
Amid a “grave and complicated “flood control situation, the Ministry of Emergency Management has demanded that local authorities nationwide enhance early warning measures and thoroughly check urban areas at risk of flooding, including subways, to ensure people’s safety.
The ministry also demanded that subway operators suspend their operations and evacuate passengers in the event of extremely heavy rainfall, according to a media release from the ministry on July 27.
From: CHINA DAILY
Top court wants better judicial protection for rural vitalization
China’s top court on July 26 issued a document calling for better judicial service and protection to serve the country’s rural vitalization and modernization of agriculture and rural areas.
The Supreme People’s Court (SPC) document includes 26 articles on promoting judicial work related to both high-quality and efficient agricultural industry and better living environment in rural areas.
From: Xinhua
China intensifies emergency rescue, disaster relief in flood-hit Henan
China has deployed personnel, allocated funds and equipment amid consolidated efforts for emergency rescue and disaster relief after record-heavy downpours in Henan triggered severe floods, an official said on July 28.
The country has sent about 46,000 personnel from the People’s Liberation Army and the People’s Armed Police Force as well as about 61,000 militia members to Henan for flood control and emergency rescue, Zhou Xuewen, vice minister of the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) and the Ministry of Water Resources, told a press conference.
From: Xinhua
Political advisors discuss strengthening public health protection net
Chinese national political advisors convened a bi-weekly seminar on July 29 to discuss strengthening the network for public health protection.
The seminar, held by the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China’s top political advisory body, was presided over by Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee.
The network is vital to protecting people’s health and safeguarding economic and social stability, Wang said, adding that it also embodies the CPC’s original aspiration and mission.
From: Xinhua
China to build more maternal, child care institutes
China will establish one standardized maternal and child healthcare institute in each province, city and county, health authorities said July 29.
More high-quality medical resources will be provided for maternal and child care, according to a notice issued by the National Health Commission.
From: Xinhua
Life of disabled improved during 13th Five-year Plan: federation head
More than 10.7 million disabled people with difficulties were covered by subsistence allowance by the end of 2020, according to a press conference held in Beijing on July 29.
During the 13th Five-year Plan period (2016-2020), a total of 26 million disabled people benefited from living allowances and nursing subsidies, said Zhang Haidi, chairperson of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation.
From: Xinhua
