News-Clips (2021. 12-2022. 01)
December 2021
So-called “democracy summit” goes against basic spirit of democracy, Pakistani newspaper says
The so-called “Summit for Democracy” led by the United States goes against the basic spirit of democracy and will further polarize the world, resulting in the emergence of new blocs, Pakistan’s The News International reported on Dec. 2.
“It is a bad sign, as the world direly needs cooperation and joint efforts to tackle the issues of pandemic, climate change, food insecurity, water and energy,” said the article titled “Democracy summit, undemocratic practices.”
From: Xinhua
China’s democracy guarantees all people’s right to happy life, experts say
China’s State Council Information Office on Dec. 4 released a white paper titled “China: Democracy That Works,” which expounded on the values, history, institutional frameworks, practices, and achievements of China’s democracy.
China’s democracy, according to experts and observers from multiple countries, has guaranteed all people’s right to a happy life and promoted the country’s rapid development.
From: Xinhua
Xi sends congratulatory letter to 2021 South-South Human Rights Forum
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 2021 South-South Human Rights Forum, which opened in Beijing on Dec. 8.
Noting that human rights are a symbol of human civilization progress, Xi said putting people first and taking people’s longing for a better life as the goal is the responsibility of all countries.
From: Xinhua
China vows to work with developing countries to promote international human rights
China, as the world’s largest developing country, pledged to work with all developing countries to promote the sound development of the international human rights cause, at a forum on human rights on Dec. 8.
The 2021 South-South Human Rights Forum, a biennial event held this year for the third time in Beijing, was themed “putting people first and global human rights governance.”
From: CGTN
Chinese people are enjoying better human rights: Chinese UN ambassador
The Chinese people are enjoying better human rights and making positive contributions to the global human rights cause, said the Chinese UN ambassador on Dec. 9 in a message for Human Rights Day, which falls on Dec. 10.
The theme for this year’s Human Rights Day is equality. The protection of human rights and the pursuit of equality is an ideal shared by all humanity. It is also one that is constantly pursued by the Chinese people, said Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations.
From: Xinhua
People’s rights guaranteed in democracy
People’s rights have been well guaranteed under China’s whole-process people’s democracy, Chinese experts said at a seminar held by Shandong University on Dec. 10.
Li Junru, vice-president of China Society for Human Rights Studies, said the whole-process people’s democracy in China combines electoral democracy with consultative democracy and it covers democratic election, consultation, decision-making, management and supervision.
People can participate extensively in the management of State and social affairs and fully exercise their democratic rights in their daily lives, he said, adding that the will of the people can be reflected in all aspects of the country’s political and social life.
From: China Daily
China stresses policy support to safeguard people’s well-being in 2022: key meeting
China will make sure its social policies well safeguard people’s well-being, according to a statement released on Dec. 10 after a tone-setting economic meeting.
The country will promote both the economic development and the well-being of its people and make basic public services more available, according to the annual Central Economic Work Conference which concluded on Dec. 10 in Beijing.
From: Xinhua
National pension system vital to erasing disparity, ensuring payments
China will reconfigure the national pension fund this year in order to narrow the disparity between provinces and regions and improve the equity of the national pension system.
On Dec. 16, Vice-Premier Han Zheng stressed at a teleconference that introducing a State-level system for the national pension fund was an important central government decision, which will benefit the people and social stability.
From: China Daily
Trade Law draft amendment for new sector workers to be examined
A draft amendment to strengthen protection for people engaged in new forms of business, such as deliverymen and drivers with ride-hailing services, will be reviewed by lawmakers next week, a senior legislator said on Dec. 17.
The draft amendment to the Trade Union Law will be submitted for review to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the country’s top legislative body, which will begin its session on Dec. 20.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Symposium celebrates nutrition improvement plan
The International Symposium for the 10th Anniversary of the Nutrition Improvement Plan took place in Beijing on Dec. 18, with participation from more than 120 government officials, scholars and representatives of international organizations and enterprises.
Carrying the title “Investing in Child Nutrition for Healthy Future”, the symposium was hosted by the China Development Research Foundation and co-organized by the United Nations World Food Program and covered topics including the achievements of the plan in the past decade, rural revitalization and international experience.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Draft revision of Civil Procedure Law emphasises rights, consent
A draft amendment to the Civil Procedure Law was submitted for a second reading on Dec. 20 at an ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
The draft amendment was presented for a first reading in October, but the version presented on Dec. 20 aims to further simplify civil procedures while laying emphasis on the rights and consent of the parties involved.
From: Xinhua
Law to comprehensively protect women’s rights
The top legislature of China is reviewing the draft amendment to the Law on the Protection of Women’s Rights and Interests from Dec. 20 to Dec. 24. The amendment defines “discrimination against women”, strengthens protection of women’s personality rights and interests, and bans any subjugation of women, by nonviolent as well as physical abuse.
The amendment focuses on problems related to women’s rights and interests protection that have become apparent over the past nearly 30 years since the law was last revised.
From: China Daily
Envoy urges fair vaccine distribution
Ensuring ample supplies of COVID-19 vaccines and distributing them fairly is a “pressing” task as the Omicron variant spreads rapidly, said the Chinese ambassador to the United States on Dec. 21.
During an online meeting hosted by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the pandemic, Qin Gang said China is the leading supplier of COVID-19 vaccines to other countries.
From: China Daily
Chinese women’s average life expectancy exceeds 80 years in 2020
The average life expectancy of Chinese women reached 80.88 years in 2020, up from 77.37 years in 2010, according to the National Bureau of Statistics on Dec. 21.
Chinese women’s social status has been raised significantly over the past decade, and their sense of accomplishment, happiness and security has increased dramatically, said an NBS report on the monitoring results of the Outline for the Development of Chinese Women (2011-2020).
From: Xinhua
Report exposes limitations, drawbacks of American democracy
The China Society for Human Rights Studies on Dec. 23 published a report, laying bare the limitations and drawbacks of American democracy.
The American voting democracy centered on elections can hardly sustain democratic politics in a complete sense, and it is far from being an ideal system for modern democracy, the report noted.
From: Xinhua
Spokesperson: China-proposed resolution safeguards rights to peaceful use of sci-tech
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Dec. 24 adopted a Chinese-proposed resolution on arms control, which China said safeguards the legitimate rights of all countries to peaceful use of science and technology and participate in international cooperation.
The resolution titled “Promoting International Cooperation on Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security” was adopted at the plenary meeting of the 76th session of the UNGA.
From: CGTN
Chinese political advisers discuss strengthening rights of minors
Chinese political advisers on Dec. 24 discussed measures to promote the judicial protection of minors’ rights and interests at a consultation session in Beijing.
The biweekly session was held by the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, China’s top political advisory body.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Xi emphasizes steps to ensure food security
President Xi Jinping has reiterated the need to stabilize the fundamentals of the agricultural sector and ensure the nation’s food security, saying that China should achieve assessable outcomes in growing more soybeans and other oil crops.
Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for more concrete measures and stronger implementation to guarantee stable agricultural production and supply and steady growth in the sector and rural areas.
Xi’s remarks were published on Dec. 26 as the two-day Central Rural Work Conference, which outlined China’s rural development plans for the coming year, was concluded in Beijing.
From: China Daily
Gender equality for women improving, survey says
China has created a better social environment for women’s individual overall development and achieved wider recognition of gender equality in the past decade, said a survey released on Dec. 27.
The Survey on Social Status of Women in China, jointly conducted in 2020 by the All-China Women’s Federation and the National Bureau of Statistics, said that about 97 percent of the 30,000 male and female respondents aged 18 to 64 nationwide agreed that women enjoy a more favorable social environment.
From: China Daily
Readers applaud Xi’s discourses on protection of human rights
A book with extracts from President Xi Jinping’s discourses on respecting and protecting human rights demonstrates how China conducts its people-centered approach to human rights protection with solid actions, officials and experts have said on Dec. 28 at a meeting where Chinese and foreign readers shared their views on the book.
It also provides guidance for a wide range of developing countries to find their own paths toward human rights protection according to their own domestic conditions, they added.
From: CHINA DAILY
January 2022
Law prompts parents to educate kids properly
Chinese parents are being encouraged to educate their children properly — morally, physically and psychologically — as a new law on family education came into effect on Jan. 1.
The Law on Family Education Promotion stipulates the responsibilities of guardians and society in terms of family responsibility, State support, social collaboration and legal responsibility.
From: China Daily
China clips hydrofluorocarbon production to reduce global warming
China has started to phase down the production of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – potent greenhouse gases responsible for depleting the Earth’s ozone layer and contributing significantly to global warming.
The Ministry of Environment and Ecology (MEE) barred companies from expanding HFC production capacity from Jan. 1. “Companies shall not build or expand the HFC chemical production facilities. Enterprises that violate the new regulations will be liable to punishment,” said a notification issued by the ministry.
From: CGTN
Homeless people get special care amid COVID fight
Civil affairs departments in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province, have provided aid to 222 homeless people and street wanderers as of noon on Jan. 3 amid a COVID-19 outbreak in the city, a senior official said.
Kong Hong, deputy director of the Xi’an bureau of civil affairs, said at a news conference on Jan. 3 that “civil affairs departments have established a number of shelters for the homeless people in the city”.
From: CHINA DAILY
Veterans to start getting allowance every month
Qualified veterans on the Chinese mainland will soon start receiving a monthly living allowance, according to a new regulation published by central authorities.
The Regulation on Veterans’ Monthly Allowance was jointly issued on Jan. 4 by 11 agencies of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Central Military Commission and central government, including the education and public security ministries as well as the CMC Political Work Department.
From: China Daily
Air quality, economy are getting better in Beijing
Beijing has achieved concrete success in terms of air quality improvement and rapid economic growth, a senior municipal government official said on Jan. 4.
The capital’s annual average concentration of fine particulate matter in the air — PM2.5 — fell to 33 micrograms per cubic meter last year, meeting the city’s air quality target outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) ahead of schedule, Yu Jianhua, spokesman for the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau, said at a news conference.
From: China Daily
Average life expectancy in Tibet rises to 72.19 year
The average life expectancy in southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region in 2021 rose to 72.19 years, an increase of 1.09 years over 2020.
The figure was released on Jan. 5 at the fifth session of the 11th People’s Congress of Tibet Autonomous Region.
From: Xinhua
Chinese vice premier stresses consolidation of poverty-eradication achievements
Vice Premier Hu Chunhua has stressed consolidating the achievements in poverty elimination, calling for efforts to prevent rural population from falling back into poverty and promote the follow-up development of regions that have eradicated poverty.
Hu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour to south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from Jan. 6 to 9.
From: Xinhua
China fully vaccinates over 1.21 billion against COVID-19, achieves herd immunity
China has fully vaccinated more than 1.21 billion people, or 86.25 percent of the country’s total population against COVID-19 as of Jan. 7, said a health official from the National Health Commission (NHC) at a press briefing on Jan. 8.
Nearly 2.89 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered to the people living on the Chinese mainland, said He Qinghua, an official from the disease control and prevention division at the NHC.
From: CGTN
Vice Premier calls for more efforts to stabilize employment
Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua on Jan. 10 called for stronger efforts to keep employment stable.
Hu made the remarks while addressing a meeting of the leading group on employment work under the State Council in Beijing.
From: Xinhua
Guideline to remedy high school woes
The Ministry of Education issued an evaluation guideline for high schools on Jan. 10 that aims to reform the exam-oriented education system and promote the all-around development of students.
The new guideline bans school-organized tutoring classes on public holidays and during summer and winter vacations and requires schools to properly arrange their daily schedules to make sure students have enough
sleep.
sleep.
From: CHINA DAILY
Average life expectancy in China to reach 78.3 years in 2025
China’s average life expectancy is expected to reach 78.3 years in 2025, up from 77.3 years in 2019, according to the country’s 14th five-year plan (2021-2025) for public service.
The total number of beds in nursing homes for the elderly will reach 10 million in 2025, said the plan issued by 21 government departments including the National Development and Reform Commission on Jan. 10.
From: Xinhua
Chinese journalists association hosts workshop on human rights protection
Chinese researchers, domestic and international journalists, and foreign embassy media officers gathered at a workshop on Jan. 14 in Beijing to discuss China’s human rights protection.
The workshop was hosted by the All-China Journalists Association following a recently-published book of selected discourses by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on respecting and protecting human rights.
From: Xinhua
Xinjiang issues development plan for women, children
Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has issued two plans to promote the high-quality development of women and children through 180 welfare measures spanning 15 fields, local authorities said on Jan. 14.
The plans aim to promote the coordinated development of women and children from urban and rural regions and different areas and groups. They further aim to protect the rights and interests of women and children with special difficulties, said Wang Lixia, deputy director of the regional working committee on children and women.
From: CGTN
China to improve modern public legal services system
China will enhance and accelerate efforts to improve its modern public legal services system, according to a meeting on the country’s judicial administration on Jan. 17.
The system should be convenient, efficient, equal and inclusive, and cover both urban and rural areas in 2022, the meeting said.
From: Xinhua
China pledges to further support employment of people emerging from poverty
In an effort to consolidate its poverty elimination achievements, China will strive to ensure that at least 30 million people who have been lifted out of poverty are employed this year, a senior official said on Jan. 18.
In 2021, some 31.45 million people lifted out of poverty found jobs, Liu Huanxin, deputy chief of the Office of the Central Rural Work Leading Group and head of the National Rural Revitalization Administration, told a video conference.
From: Xinhua
China’s wetlands of international importance improving: white paper
The ecology of China’s wetlands of international importance has been improving in the wake of better water quality and biodiversity, said a white paper issued by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Jan. 19.
China now has 64 wetlands of international importance, including 63 on the mainland and one in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The white paper
surveyed the wetlands on the mainland.
From: Xinhua
Food security, preventing backslide to poverty top Ministry agenda
Ensuring national food security and preventing a large-scale backslide into poverty are two of the main tasks this year, officials with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Jan. 20.
Zeng Yande, head of the ministry’s development and planning department, said that national grain output hit a record high of 683 million metric tons and cultivated areas covered 118 million hectares last year.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
CPC meeting urges better response to grassroots grievances
A key Party meeting, presided over by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Jan. 24, has called for improving the system for responding to the public’s grievances in order to create a sound environment for addressing social problems in accordance with the law.
The meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee reviewed two documents, including a regulation about the response to the public’s grievances.
From: CHINA DAILY
Shanghai makes booster shots available to expats
Expatriates in Shanghai can now make appointments to receive domestically developed COVID-19 booster shots, the municipal government announced on Jan. 25.
The booster shots will be made available only to foreigners aged 18 and older. Appointments can be made through the Health Cloud app beginning at 8 p.m. on Jan. 25. Adult expats can also make COVID-19 vaccination appointments for their children at the same time.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Li calls for additional efforts on lifting people’s livelihoods
Premier Li Keqiang has called for heightened efforts to consolidate the nation’s poverty alleviation outcomes and lift the living standards of people from various ethnic groups as he extended festive greetings to vendors, farmers and migrant workers during a visit to Gansu province.
In a fact-finding tour to the province in western China on Jan. 27 and Jan. 28, Li reiterated his pledge to scale up tax cuts and fee reductions to support smaller firms and self-employed individuals — key channels of employment for China’s 1.4-billion population.
From: CHINA DAILY
Xinjiang expands loans to boost high-quality development of agriculture
Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region last year expanded loans to agricultural entities in a bid to promote agricultural modernization and boost rural development, the Urumqi branch of the People’s Bank of China said on Jan. 27.
By the end of 2021, the outstanding amount of agriculture-related loans in Xinjiang had reached 1.02 trillion yuan (about $160 billion), accounting for 40.1 percent of all loans, an increase of 2.3 percentage points over the previous year, official data shows.
From: Xinhua
