News-Clips (2023. 08-2023. 09)

August 2023

Xi orders all-out rescue of people missing, trapped in floods, geologi-cal disasters

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Aug. 1 demanded all-out search and rescue ef-forts to find people missing or trapped in floods and geological disasters in an instruc-tion issued on work concerning flood prevention and disaster relief.

Xi, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, in addition demanded efforts to minimize casualties.

From: Xinhua

City projects improve livelihoods

In more than two years, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, has implemented 1,265 projects to improve people’s livelihoods, with an investment of nearly 381 billion yuan ($53 billion), according to a news conference with the theme “Happy Chengdu

— 10 Major Projects for a Better Life” that was held on the sidelines of the Chengdu FISU World University Games on Aug. 2.

The city has solved a number of livelihood concerns and has created a situation in which the elderly can age with peace of mind, young children can grow up healthi-ly and young adults can actively participate in urban modernization, said Xiang Jin, a leading official with the city’s reform and development commission.

From: China Daily

Circular lays out methods to aid vulnerable households

Flooding and other extreme weather events that have gripped many parts of China in recent months have prompted authorities to call for greater efforts to ensure financially vulnerable rural families do not suffer.

A circular released on Aug. 2 by the National Rural Revitalization Administration said local authorities can bypass some paperwork so affected rural families can access assistance and avoid backsliding into poverty “due to unforeseen circumstances.”

From: chinadaily.com.cn

Top internet regulator proposes “juvenile mode” to protect minors online

China’s top internet regulator on Aug. 2 proposed new rules to protect minors online, including requiring mobile devices, apps, and app stores to offer a “juvenile mode” with age-appropriate content and usage limits.

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said the draft guidance is designed to meet the “new needs of juvenile protection in cyberspace.”

From: chinadaily.com.cn

Foreign envoys witness Xinjiang’s vibrant life, development in visit

Envoys from 25 countries, including Dominica, Myanmar, Iran, Samoa and Suri-nam, visited northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from July 31 to Aug. 4 at the invitation of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During their visit to the regional capital Urumqi, as well as Kashgar and Aksu prefectures, the diplomats affirmed that “people in Xinjiang are enjoying a happy life.” They also had the opportunity to witness Xinjiang’s impressive economic devel-opment and diverse culture, which stands in stark contrast to the falsehoods spread by certain Western media.

From: Xinhua

Beijing takes steps to reduce spread of disease after flooding

Beijing has taken five measures to protect public health and avoid the spread of disease, said Xia Linmao, vice-mayor of the capital city, in a news conference on Aug. 9.

Beijing has endeavored to treat the wounds left by the recent flooding. It has organized 12,800 medical personnel to participate in treatment and transferred more than 3,300 patients. Hospitals have arranged to have medical experts on duty all day, and special channels to track the treatment of patients affected by the storm.

From: chinadaily.com.cn

Legislative progress helps safeguard environment

Over the past decade, China has sought to expedite legislation aimed at protect-ing the ecological environment, the country’s top legislature said.

Aug. 15 marked China’s first National Ecology Day, which was established at a session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress, the top legislature, in late June.

China has in place more than 30 laws, over 100 sets of administrative regulations and many local regulations focused on eco-environmental protection. These efforts contribute to building sound ecological conservation systems, according to the Legis-lative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee.

From: China Daily

Experts talk about Tibetan women’s right to education

From August 14 to 16, the 7th Beijing International Seminar on Tibetan Studies was held in Beijing. Several experts highlighted that in recent years, the educational level of Tibetan women has steadily improved, and the protection of women’s rights has been progressing towards higher quality.

Relevant data shows that as of 2020, there were 3,195 schools of various types and levels in China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, with a total of 889,200 students. The consolidation rate of compulsory education reached 95.03%, and the historical achievement of dynamic zero dropouts in compulsory education was realized.

From: Ecns.cn

CPC leadership studies and arranges work on flood prevention and relief, post-disaster reconstruction

The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Chi-na (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting on Aug. 17 to study and arrange work on flood prevention and relief as well as post-disaster restoration and reconstruction. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meet-ing and delivered an important speech.

It was noted at the meeting that late July and early August are the critical periods of flood prevention. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, Party committees and governments at all levels have strengthened organizational leadership and strictly performed their duties. The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, together with all relevant depart-ments, has fulfilled their responsibilities and collaborated with each other, with China Fire and Rescue teams fighting at the front line, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the armed police rushing to provide emergency assistance, and a helping hand from central state-owned enterprises and different social sectors. With such concerted endeavors, the country has achieved phased success in flood prevention and disaster relief.

From: Xinhua

Health literacy rate up in 2022

The health literacy rate of Chinese people reached nearly 28 percent in 2022, up about 2.4 percentage points from the previous year, the National Health Commission said.

The figure indicates around 28 out of 100 people in China have obtained basic health knowledge.

The rate stood at only 8.8 percent in 2012 and has been rising continuously over the years, the commission said in a statement on its website on Aug. 19.

From: chinadaily.com.cn

Vice-premier urges doctors to more effectively safeguard people’s health

Vice-Premier Liu Guozhong on Aug. 19 urged the country’s doctors to put the people and their lives above all else, and to more effectively safeguard people’s safety and health.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Cen-tral Committee, made the remarks during his visits to Beijing’s medical institutions. He visited frontline medical workers and extended greetings to the country’s doctors on China’s Doctors’ Day.

From: Xinhua

Respiratory health center launched in Beijing

The Beijing Major Respiratory Epidemic Disease Center was inaugurated on Aug. 20, the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control said in a news release.

The new center will focus on key issues in epidemic disease control and conduct research on quick diagnosis, transmission, early warning and control strategies.

From: chinadaily.com.cn

Over 32 million people lifted out of poverty get employed in China

Over 32 million people lifted out of poverty have got employed in China as of July 2023, an increase of 347,900 year on year, authorities said on Aug. 20.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China and the Ministry of Hu-man Resources and Social Security of China released the data at a conference promot-ing the employment of the population who has got rid of poverty, which was held in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

From: Ecns.cn

China unveils measures to ensure grain quality, safety

China’s National Development and Reform Commission, the country’s economic planner, unveiled measures to supervise grain quality and safety on Aug. 24.

These measures, which include 50 items in eight chapters, will come into effect on Oct. 1.

They aim to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of grain sellers and con-sumers, strengthen the supervision and administration of grain quality and safety in circulation, and ensure national grain quality and safety.

From: Xinhua

China inspires global green development with desert control experi-ence

The China-Arab International Research Center on Drought, Desertification and Land Degradation was inaugurated on Aug. 27 during an international forum on des-ert control, showcasing China’s commitment to sharing its expertise gained from the Kubuqi desert control.

The establishment of the research center was among the outcomes of the first China-Arab States Summit last year.

From: Xinhua

National Health Commission releases action plan to improve surgical safety

The National Health Commission on Aug. 28 released an action plan aimed at improving surgical safety and quality, as well as reducing patients’ waiting time for surgeries.

According to the document published on its official website, the commission said that incidence rates of adverse events during surgeries, such as surgical complications and perioperative death (death occurring within 30 days after surgery), should de-crease by the end of 2025.

From: chinadaily.com.cn

Kindergarten students to get more space for development

China plans to officially ban kindergartens from teaching pupils primary school knowledge, a draft law said on Aug. 28.

The draft law on preschool education is being deliberated for the first time at a session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. It is the first national law on preschool education and a draft usually become a law after being re-viewed by the NPC Standing Committee for three times.

From: chinadaily.com.cn

China to make administrative reconsideration more convenient

China’s top legislature is considering a draft amendment to the Law on Admin-istrative Reconsideration that would make it more convenient for people to apply for reconsideration of administrative acts they believe to be wrong.

The draft amendment, which was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress for a third review on Aug. 28, would allow people to submit an application for reconsideration in writing or orally, if they have difficulty writing. It would also require administrations to provide online channels for people to submit reconsideration applications if they make and send administrative decisions via the internet.

From: chinadaily.com.cn

September 2023

Prompt action ensures residents benefit from elevated quality of life

Chinese government agencies have pledged to strictly implement the law on building a barrier-free environment as they strive to make daily life more convenient for the elderly and people with disabilities.

Some government departments took measures to improve construction of acces-sible facilities and services even before the new law took effect on Sept. 1.

From: China Daily

Legal aid measures due to take effect

The revised Procedures for Handling Legal Aid Cases will take effect on Sept.1, further optimizing application procedures for legal aid and streamlining the review process, according to the Ministry of Justice.

Legal aid is a system that provides free legal advice, representation and criminal defense services to economically disadvantaged citizens and other eligible parties. The Law on Legal Aid, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2022, expanded the scope of legal aid, added forms of legal aid services and specifically regulated the procedures and imple-mentation of legal aid.

From: chinadaily.com.cn

Vice Premier stresses building of government-subsidized housing

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Sept. 4 stressed efforts to address issues re-lated to government-subsidized housing to better meet people’s housing demand.

Reform and innovation should be used to tackle key issues related to govern-ment-subsidized housing, including construction scales, funds, and management. He made the remarks while addressing a teleconference on the planning and building of government-subsidized housing.

From: Xinhua

Progress achieved in Xizang exceeds expectation: FM spokesperson cites envoys as saying

Diplomatic envoys from 11 developing countries spoke highly of China’s peo-ple-centered development approach and efforts in fully safeguarding human rights of people of all ethnic groups after they paid a visit to Xizang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Sept. 4 at a press conference.

At the invitation of China’s foreign ministry, the Geneva-based diplomatic en-voys from 11 developing countries, including Pakistan, Belarus, Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, paid a visit to Xizang from Aug. 27 to Sept. 2.

The envoys said that the progress achieved in various sectors in Xizang exceeds expectation and the fruits of development are truly shared by the people there — a vivid example that a happy life for all is what human rights protection is all about, Mao said.

From: Ecns.cn

Beijing hosts mass sports meeting for people with disabilities

The 4th Beijing “Health Cup” Mass Sports Meeting for People with Disabilities opened at the Beijing Disabled People’s Culture and Sports Center on Sept. 6. The opening ceremony was attended by over 300 people, including representatives of the Beijing Disabled Persons’ Federation and the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, disabled athletes, volunteers, and people from all walks of life.

From: chinadaily.com.cn

Beijing court gives financial aid to victims harmed during crimes

Since the beginning of the year, a Beijing court has provided stronger financial and judicial aid for women, children, seniors and those with disabilities who were harmed during the commission of crimes as it strives to protect human rights and help vulnerable people live better lives.

In a report issued on Sept. 7, the Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court said that it gave more than 1.98 million yuan ($270,000) of judicial relief to 35 people who applied for it from January 2022 to July this year.

From: chinadaily.com.cn

China’s consistency on health lauded

China’s policy continuity has proved critical to effectively addressing the issue of unhealthy diets and all forms of malnutrition, said an official from the Food and Agri-culture Organization of the United Nations recently.

Lynnette Neufeld, director of the Food and Nutrition Division of the FAO, made the remarks during the 14th Asian Congress of Nutrition, which concluded in Cheng-du, Sichuan Province, on Sept. 17.

Neufeld praised China’s policy continuity, contrasting it with many other parts of the world where policies change too frequently as governments change.

From: China Daily

Chinese vice premier stresses importance of continued rural revital-ization work

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong this week stressed the importance of safe-guarding the bottom line of preventing a large-scale return to poverty, and the need to promote comprehensive rural revitalization.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Cen-tral Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in Xizang that spanned Sept. 17 to Sept. 19.

From: Xinhua

Progress in programs for people with disabilities lauded

President Xi Jinping joined more than 600 delegates from across the country on Sept. 18 at the opening ceremony of the 8th National Congress of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation in Beijing.

Xi, who is also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the event with other Party and State leaders including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning and Cai Qi. Ding Xuexiang delivered a speech at the opening ceremony on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, China’s Cabinet.

Noting the significant achievements made in the past decade by the country’s programs for people with disabilities, Ding said that China has achieved the goal of “leaving no disabled people behind while completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects” on schedule.

From: China Daily

Experts, scholars discuss BRI contributions to global human rights cause in Geneva

A symposium focusing on the progress of the human rights cause in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation was held on Sept. 19.

At the symposium, human rights experts and scholars from China and other countries exchanged their views on the contributions of the BRI cooperation to global development and human rights progress.

The symposium, with the theme of “Joint Building of the Belt & Road and Prog-ress of Global Human Rights Cause,” was organized by the China Foundation for Human Rights Development, a Chinese non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the development of human rights cause.

From: Xinhua

Xinhua think tank report highlights China’s contribution to global human rights governance

China Society for Human Rights Studies and Xinhua Institute, Xinhua News Agency’s namesake think tank, released a report titled “For the Common Value and Dignity of All Humanity — China’s Practice of and Contribution to Global Human Rights Governance” in Beijing on September 19, 2023.

The report comprehensively and systematically reviewed and presented China’s practice of and contribution to global human rights governance since the founding of the PRC, notably since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

From: Xinhua

Chinese expert slams Japan’s discharge of Fukushima wastewater at UN Human Rights Council

The environmental rights enjoyed by human beings is a collective human right, and the management and disposal of hazardous substances is by no means a matter of a country, a Chinese expert told the ongoing 54th session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council on Sept. 19.

Referring to the act of disposing hazardous substances, Li Shouping, an expert from the China Society for Human Rights Studies and a Professor at the Beijing In-stitute of Technology, said, “It should consider environmental, health and safety and other factors.”

From: Xinhua

Poverty reduction contributes to better human rights

Chinese rural researchers have highlighted how poverty reduction and farm-er-empowering programs launched by the Chinese government and colleges have bol-stered human rights in remote parts of China and beyond.

The comments were made at an international webinar held on Sept. 19 on the sidelines of the 54th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which opened on Sept. 11 and will run till Oct. 13 in Geneva, Switzerland.

From: China Daily

Pairing assistance success paves way for more

More high-quality pairing assistance programs need to be introduced in the future to help the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region maintain stability and become more prosperous, China’s top political advisor has said.

China has been implementing the pairing assistance programs in Xinjiang since 1997, channeling financial, technical and human resource support in various fields to Xinjiang, from 19 provinces and municipalities of the country, as well as central de-partments and state-owned enterprises.

Unprecedented efforts have been put in those programs in the new era and achieved obvious results, Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, told delegates at the ninth national meeting on pairing assistance to Xinji-ang, held in Kashgar, from Sept. 19 to Sept. 21.

From: chinadaily.com.cn

Book on Xi’s ideas on human rights published in 6 languages

Foreign readers can now read editions of a book featuring President Xi Jinping’s discourses on human rights in Arabic, Portuguese, German, Swahili, Urdu and Viet-namese.

The six editions of the book were published recently by the Foreign Languages Press.

The book provides an encompassing selection of Xi’s remarks, writings and com-ments regarding respecting and securing human rights.

From: China Daily

China-Europe seminar on human rights held to dispel misunder-standing

When scholars and politicians from China and Europe gathered on Sept. 20 in Rome, Italy, to discuss important issues in the arena of human rights, they expressed their worries over the alarming tendency of some countries to weaponize and politi-cize human rights, and called for joint efforts to promote global human rights gover-nance via cooperation and dialogue.

More than 140 scholars from 15 countries attended the 2023 China-Europe Sem-inar on Human Rights. The seminar, themed “Modernization and the Diversity of Hu-man Rights Among Civilizations,” was held by the China Society for Human Rights Studies (CSHRS) and the law faculty at Sapienza University of Rome.

From: Global Times