October 2024
China to implement new set of rules in October
A new set of rules addressing various aspects of daily life, from prepaid fees at elderly care institutions to improvements of central kitchens, will take effect in China this October.
To safeguard the financial security of the elderly, a new regulation on strengthening the monitoring of prepaid fees at elderly care institutions will take effect on Oct. 1.
In terms of food safety, two rules targeting the construction and operation of central kitchens — the country’s first set of recommended national standards in this regard — will take effect on Oct. 1.
From: Xinhua
Xi encourages Red Cross Society of China to enhance humanitarian services
President Xi Jinping has encouraged the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) to focus on high-quality development and further improve its capability in providing humanitarian services.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a letter to the RCSC on the occasion of its 12th general congress, which opened in Beijing on Oct. 9.
From: Xinhua
China-led resolution on women’s rights wins broad support at UNHRC
A resolution marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted by consensus on Oct. 9 during the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Chen Xu, China’s permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, introduced the draft resolution. It was co-submitted by China, Denmark, France, Kenya, and Mexico, and received widespread support, with 112 countries backing the initiative as co-sponsors.
Chen noted that the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, marking a historic milestone in the development of women’s rights globally.
From: Xinhua
Beijing introduces new policies to aid elderly population
The Beijing Municipal Civil Affairs Bureau and eleven other departments jointly issued 20 measures covering six categories to improve services for elderly citizens.
Beijing has 698,000 citizens aged 80 and above, among whom 163,600 are disabled, accounting for 23.44 percent of the total, according to a press conference held by the bureau on Oct. 9.
Additionally, there are 157,000 elderly individuals under 80 years old who are disabled or are suffering from dementia, according to statistics from the bureau.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
China refines financial aid for students
China has rolled out enhancements to its student financial aid policies aimed at rewarding outstanding students and supporting those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, according to officials from the Ministry of Finance and the National Development and Reform Commission.
During a news conference in Beijing on Oct. 12, Vice-Minister of Finance Guo Tingting outlined a dual approach to refining the policies: incentivizing excellence while providing necessary assistance to those in need.
From: China Daily
China’s annual rule of law report focuses on human rights, business environment
China issued its annual report on the rule of law for 2023 on Oct. 14, releasing the document in both Chinese and English to enhance understanding of the country’s legal progress domestically and internationally.
The 2023 Annual Report on the Rule of Law in China, compiled by the China Law Society, marks the 16th consecutive year of its publication. The report highlights China’s achievements in legislation, judiciary, and law enforcement over the past year, while addressing key legal issues such as human rights protection, intellectual property rights, and environmental law.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Delegates from Islamic body hail Xinjiang’s stability, development
A 32-member delegation, including representatives of multiple countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and officials of the OIC General Secretariat, visited northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from Oct. 16 to 19 at the invitation of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The delegates toured cities like Turpan, Hami and the regional capital Urumqi, expressing their admiration for the social stability, harmony and collaborative development among the region’s diverse ethnic groups.
The delegates emphasized the potential for collaboration in counter-terrorism, development and combating misinformation, underscoring the importance of international unity in the fight against terrorism.
From: Xinhua
China intensifies emergency food supply amid increasing extreme weather events
China has reinforced its emergency food supply in response to increasing extreme weather events and natural disasters, an official said on Oct. 16.
With over 1,200 grain market information monitoring stations established nationwide, the country is tracking changes in grain inventories, prices and sales to ensure that risks are promptly identified, Liu Huanxin, head of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, said during an interview with Xinhua.
All food authorities at the provincial, municipal and county levels have developed contingency plans, while over 59,000 emergency food supply outlets have been put into use nationwide, Liu said.
From: Xinhua
Peng Liyuan extends congratulations to UNESCO award ceremony for girls’, women’s education
Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping and UNESCO special envoy for the advancement of girls’ and women’s education, sent a congratulatory message to the 2024 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education award ceremony held on Oct. 16 in Paris, France.
In her message, Peng paid high tribute and extended best wishes to the award-winning organizations from Uganda and Zambia, saying that girls’ and women’s education has a bearing on their growth and development, the well-being of numerous families and the world’s future.
Peng said that China has always attached great importance to the cause of girls’ and women’s education, actively pushing forward the global cause of women’s education while continuously improving the educational environment for women in China.
From: Xinhua
CSHRS executive VP Jiang Jianguo meets with Uzbekistan delegation
Jiang Jianguo, member of the standing committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), deputy director of the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, and executive vice-president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies (CSHRS), met with a delegation led by Mirzatillo Tillaboev, first deputy of the National Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights in Beijing on Oct. 17. The two sides exchanged views on topics such as the China-Uzbekistan human rights cooperation and the development of China’s human rights cause.
From: en.humanrights.cn
40% girls aged 13-14 benefit from free HPV vaccination program
Free HPV vaccination programs led by local authorities have now covered 40 percent of girls aged around 13 to 14 years old nationwide, the National Health Commission said in a news conference on Oct. 18.
Delivering human papillomavirus vaccines to adolescent girls is essential to curbing the incidence of cervical cancer.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
China expands elderly care services with focus on community-based solutions
China had a total of 410,000 elderly care institutions and facilities at the end of the second quarter this year, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said on Oct. 21.
Of these, 369,000 were community-based elderly care facilities, reflecting a marked increase compared to 2019, when the numbers were roughly half their current levels, according to the ministry.
Specifically, the number of elderly care institutions has doubled, while that of community-based care facilities has grown by 120 percent over the same period.
From: Xinhua
Chinese, European scholars discuss human rights issues
Over 60 officials and human rights scholars from China and European countries including Germany, Britain, Sweden, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Czech Republic gathered in Berlin on Oct. 22 for a seminar focused on the protection of "new and emerging rights."
The seminar addressed key topics including social rights, economic inequality, the intersection of digital technology and human rights, and protecting human rights in the context of climate change.
The seminar, now in its eighth edition, is an institutionalized platform for in-depth exchanges and cooperation on human rights between China and Europe.
From: Xinhua
China’s air and water surface quality significantly improves, indicators reveal
China’s air quality and surface water quality has continued to improve in the first three quarters of this year, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced on Oct. 22.
In 339 cities at the prefecture level and above nationwide, four out of the six major pollutant indicators — PM2.5, PM10, ozone, nitrogen dioxide — decreased; while the other two — sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide — remained stable, Pei Xiaofei, a spokesman of the ministry said during a news conference in Beijing.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Xinjiang boosts youth sports with over 1,200 sports-focused schools
The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has established 1,214 national sports-focused schools specializing in football, basketball, and other sports, significantly boosting youth sports development, China’s Ministry of Education said on Oct. 23.
The report outlined a strategy of developing specialized sports programs across Xinjiang, China’s largest region. In the northern part of the region, schools emphasize equestrian sports, winter activities, and table tennis. Schools in the east focus on acrobatics and other strength-based sports, while in the south, football, basketball, and volleyball take priority.
From: Xinhua
Policies set to boost graduate job market in Wuhan
Wuhan has introduced new policies to boost employment, set to take effect on Oct. 25 and last for five years, according to a report by People’s Daily.
The newly issued measures include policies dedicated to helping college graduates start their first ventures. Eligible graduates can receive startup loans of up to 300,000 yuan ($42,420) as individuals, while qualified small and micro-enterprises can access loans of up to 5 million yuan. Those who transform from self-employed individuals to small and low-profit enterprises will be eligible for a reduced taxable income rate of 25 percent.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Xi urges efforts to bolster work in civil affairs
President Xi Jinping has called for enhancing inclusive and fundamental livelihood initiatives, as China prioritizes addressing pressing public concerns as part of a broader effort to advance the high-quality development of civil affairs work.
The directives from Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, were conveyed to participants at the 15th National Civil Affairs Conference, held in Beijing on Oct. 25 and Oct. 26.
Lauding the new progress achieved in all aspects of civil affairs in recent years, Xi emphasized the paramount importance of the people’s well-being in China’s modernization drive. He also urged Party committees and governments at all levels to adopt a people-centered approach in resolving the most practical problems that are of the greatest and most direct concern to the people.
From: China Daily/Xinhua
China sees 10.49m increase in urban jobs
In the first three quarters of this year, 10.49 million new urban jobs were created nationwide, with the overall employment situation remaining stable, China’s top employment authority said on Oct. 25.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security released the latest national employment figures at a news conference on Oct. 25.
Statistics showed since the beginning of the year, the country has dispatched 43,000 college graduates to grassroots positions in education, agriculture, healthcare and rural revitalization.
By the end of September, about 33 million people who had been lifted out of poverty were employed.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
China unveils new policy measures to boost birth support
China on Oct. 28 introduced a series of new birth support policies aimed at building a society more conducive to raising children, as the nation confronts profound demographic challenges posed by its rapidly aging population.
A directive from the State Council outlines 13 targeted measures to enhance childbirth support services, expand child care systems, strengthen support in education, housing and employment, and foster a birth-friendly social atmosphere.
From: Xinhua
Over 1,500 schools launch new alliance to promote inclusive education
With the aim to promote equitable and quality education for every child, the Thousand Schools Alliance for Inclusive Education was launched at the East China Normal University in Shanghai on Oct. 31.
The alliance has attracted 1,545 member schools from 29 cities and provinces across China, ranging from preschools and primary schools to high schools and universities, said Yuan Zhenguo, dean of Faculty of Education of East China Normal University.
"The alliance aims to focus on and ensure every child, especially those with special needs, has equitable and quality education. In the coming years, we will collaborate closely with experts and practitioners across the nation to expand the depth and breadth of inclusive education and eventually to contribute Chinese wisdom to the whole world," Yuan added.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
November 2024
Work plan aimed at building a secure environment for children’s healthy growth unveiled
A work plan aiming to bring government departments, families, schools and social efforts together to build a sound environment for children’s healthy growth was unveiled to the public on Nov. 1.
The document was jointly released by the Ministry of Education, as well as 16 other authorities, including the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Public Security, the National Health Commission and the National Cultural Heritage Administration.
To make primary and secondary school students grow healthy and happy, the plan requires government agencies, families, schools and social organizations, as well as more entities, such as those related to safety and culture, to form an alliance to provide children with comprehensive protection, address their prominent problems and enrich their daily lives.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
New Chinese draft law stipulates better protection for preschool children
Chinese lawmakers are considering a draft preschool education law that stipulates better protection of the rights and interests of preschool children.
The draft law was submitted on Nov. 4 to the ongoing session of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee for deliberation.
Kindergartens and other entities or individuals, before collecting, using, providing, disclosing, or otherwise processing personal information of preschool children, must obtain consent from their parents or other guardians and comply with relevant laws and regulations, the draft says.
From: Xinhua
China creates 2.45m jobs through work-relief programs
China has promoted the implementation of work-relief programs by local governments in key projects as well as agricultural and rural infrastructure projects to boost employment, the country’s top economic planning body said on Nov. 4.
In the first three quarters of 2024, these programs created a total of 2.45 million jobs for low-income workers, a year-on-year increase of 30.2 percent, and distributed 31 billion yuan ($4.35 billion) in wages, up 22.7 percent from a year earlier, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.
These work-relief programs are aimed at people in need of employment, especially rural residents who have been lifted out of poverty, vulnerable individuals prone to returning to poverty, and migrant workers who have gone back to their hometowns.
From: Xinhua
China leads in combating desertification
With more than half of its reclaimable desertified land treated, China has taken the lead globally in achieving zero growth in land degradation and become the largest contributor to global afforestation, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.
Since 2012, China has seen its desertified land decrease by 4.3 million hectares, said Guan Zhiou, head of the administration, reporting to an ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the country’s top legislature, on Nov. 5.
From: China Daily
Recommendations made for strict implementation of China’s Social Insurance Law
The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, urges more sound and scientific regulations and law on the nation’s social insurance operation after it sent an inspection team to review the implementation of the Social Insurance Law in recent months.
The inspection team, consisting of 19 members, visited 16 cities and prefectures in six provinces from June to July, including Shanghai, Heilongjiang and Guangdong, to review the implementation of the social insurance law. The team also authorized six provincial NPC standing committees in provinces and cities such as Zhejiang and Chongqing to review the law’s implementation during that period.
The inspection team has noted the progresses that the nation has reached in perfecting the social insurance system but also spotted several problems, according to the latest report it submitted to the NPC Standing Committee for review on Nov. 5.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
China unveils climate change action report
China released an annual climate action report on Nov. 6, outlining the country’s new initiatives for tackling climate change, and stating China’s position and proposals regarding the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE).
The report of China’s policies and actions for addressing climate change has been compiled each year since 2008. This year’s report comprehensively showcases the progress and achievements in policies, measures and key initiatives across various sectors in response to climate change since 2023, demonstrating China’s responsible attitude, Xia Yingxian, an official with the MEE, said at the press briefing.
From: Global Times
Law better ensuring children’s safety to take effect next year
China has introduced its first Preschool Education Law, focusing on elevating the quality of preschool educators and protecting children’s safety and rights, officials and experts said on Nov. 11. The new law will come into effect on Children’s Day next year.
The new law stipulates clear qualification requirements for those working in early childhood education, including teachers, principals, childcare workers and child healthcare personnel, to ensure the safety and well-being of young children, said Zhang Wenbin, head of the Ministry of Education’s department of policies and regulations.
From: China Daily
China ramps up financial services for elderly
China’s top financial regulator on Nov. 14 urged financial institutions to improve services for the elderly, in a bid to address the needs of an aging population.
According to a guideline issued by the National Financial Regulatory Administration, financial institutions are tasked with optimizing branch layouts, upgrading facilities for seniors, enhancing mobile APPs, and promoting the use of portable smart services, among others.
The guideline also emphasized the development of elderly-friendly financial products and services, as well as strengthening consumer protection for the elderly clients.
From: Xinhua
Over 1,600 national standards set up to enhance food safety
A health official said on Nov. 14 that China has established 1,610 national food safety standards to help ensure food safety and promote industry development.
Tian Jianxin, deputy director of the National Health Commission’s department of food safety standards, risk surveillance and assessment, said during a news conference that these standards have covered 340 types of food and contained over 20,000 indicators. Together, they have formed a rigorous, systematic and advanced system.
The commission has also made amendments to some of them in recent years to adjust to the latest trends.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Top court launches AI-generated platform to help judges, public
A judicial platform generated by artificial intelligence has been registered at China’s cyberspace department, aiming to help judges improve work efficiency and give people easier access to legal services, according to the country’s top court.
The platform, along with its functions, was introduced by the People’s Court Press on Nov. 15 at a news conference of the Supreme People’s Court.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Chinese premier urges construction of good housing to better meet people’s needs
Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Nov. 18 urged efforts to build safe, comfortable, green and smart homes to better meet people’s high-quality housing needs.
Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when he visited a construction technology exhibition in Beijing.
The needs of various groups with different living habits, age ranges and economic capabilities should be taken into consideration — especially new demand in such areas as aging adaptability and child-friendliness — in the construction of new homes and in renovating existing homes, the premier said.
From: Xinhua
Report highlights China’s protection of human rights for all
A recent report released by the China Society for Human Rights Studies has highlighted China’s progress in protecting the human rights of all demographics and social groups.
The 2024 edition of the Annual Report on China’s Human Rights outlines China’s work to protect the human rights of the country’s women, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and other vulnerable groups in 2023, including improvements in the accessible design of public spaces and the protection of minors in cyberspace.
It also analyzes the country’s measures to protect the interests and rights of workers in emerging industries such as the food delivery and ride-hailing services, as well as its measures to protect the right of rural residents to participate in and supervise local infrastructure projects.
From: Xinhua
Global scholars gather to discuss human rights in ancient Chinese classics
Fine traditional Chinese culture contains many ideas related to human rights, which can provide historical resources and enlightenment for the cause of human rights in today’s world. That is why scholars across the globe gathered in central China’s Hunan Province for a conference on Nov. 20.
Scholars explored the ideas of human rights on the basis of Chinese classics, and promoted exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, at the International Academic Conference on the Ideas of Human Rights in Ancient Chinese Classics, jointly hosted by China Society for Human Rights Studies, the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Hunan Provincial Committee, and Hunan University.
During the main forum and four sub-forums, over 200 scholars from countries including China, the United States, Australia, Canada, India, Italy, Japan, Pakistan and Portugal shared their insights.
From: Xinhua
China issues guideline to promote employment for migrant workers
China will further promote high-quality and sufficient employment for migrant workers and facilitate their urbanization process, according to a guideline published on Nov. 22.
The guideline, issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and nine other central authorities, stressed the need to stabilize and expand employment for migrant workers, while calling for multiple measures to broaden their employment channels.
China will work to enhance working skills of migrant workers, safeguard their labor rights and interests, and improve the long-term mechanism for controlling arrears of wages, according to the guideline.
From: Xinhua
More people to earn first aid certifications from Red Cross Society of China
The Red Cross Society of China said on Nov. 27 that it aims to train 16 million more people to obtain its first aid certifications in the next five years.
The organization said during a news conference held in Shanghai that it has trained and issued certifications to 15.26 million people and equipped 83,000 automated external defibrillators in schools, neighborhoods, bus stations and other public venues in the past five years.
It said more efforts will be made to further improve quality and efficiency of its training programs.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Senior CPC official calls for enhanced prevention of juvenile delinquency
Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Chen Wenqing on Nov. 27 stressed that enhancing the prevention and control of juvenile delinquency is significant to maintaining social security and responding to public concerns.
Chen, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at a symposium on the development of juvenile courts in China.
From: Xinhua
Over 90 drugs to be added to national medical reimbursement list
China will add 91 drugs to its national medical reimbursement list next year, the National Healthcare Security Administration said on Nov. 28.
Among the newly-added drugs, 89 have been included following price negotiations or bidding with drug manufacturers, resulting in an average price cut of 63 percent.
The new list will take effect on Jan 1, 2025, and is expected to save patients more than 50 billion yuan ($6.9 billion) next year.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
