December 2024
China boosts opportunities for people living with disabilities
China has reached fruitful results of improving the living quality of disabled people by boosting their employment and enabling them to get easier access to barrier-free services.
The China Disabled Persons’ Federation said so far, the nation has about 85 million people living with disabilities, and among them, the number of employed certified disabled individuals reached 9.126 million. Also, more than 100,000 disabled students have been admitted to colleges and universities so far, as reported by the China Central Television on Dec. 3.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
China’s Efforts to Safeguard Cultural Rights for the Visually Impaired: Insights from the “Cinema of Light” Public Welfare Initiative
The China Foundation for Human Rights Development and the National High-level Think Tank of Xinhua News Agency on Dec. 3 jointly released a think tank report titled “China’s Efforts to Safeguard Cultural Rights for the Visually Impaired: Insights from the ‘Cinema of Light’ Public Welfare Initiative.”
From: Xinhua
China lauded for combating desertification
China has made significant scientific advancements in combating desertification while achieving substantial economic benefits at the same time, and these experiences are worth sharing with the world, foreign experts said.
They made the remarks after visiting the China Pavilion that opened on Dec. 2 at the venue for the 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
From: China Daily
Experts laud Beijing’s role in advancing human rights
Officials and experts from China and abroad have underscored the collective global responsibility to address human rights challenges and foster international solidarity for the betterment of all.
They also appreciated China’s contribution to the global human rights cause during an international dialogue on economic, social and cultural rights held on Dec. 9 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.
In a letter to the event, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China is committed to safeguarding human rights through security, promoting human rights through development and advancing human rights through cooperation.
From: China Daily
China calls on all parties to work together for sound development of international human rights cause
China calls on all parties to abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, engage in constructive dialogue and cooperation in the field of human rights and work together for the sound development of the international human rights cause, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Dec. 10.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which was adopted 76 years ago, is of major significance in the history of human civilization and has a profound influence on the world’s human rights cause, Mao said.
From: Xinhua
Dedicated center for autistic kids launched
China’s first national special education resource center for children with autism was launched on Dec. 11 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, marking a significant milestone in the country’s special education development.
The center is located at Zhejiang Normal University in the province.
During the launch ceremony, officials from the Ministry of Education announced that Chinese children with autism are now fully integrated into the nation’s special education framework, with ongoing efforts to enhance access to compulsory education for this group.
From: China Daily
China further expands basic medical insurance portfolio
China has opted for a further expansion of its basic medical insurance portfolio through enriching its medical insurance drug catalog, increasing centralized medicine procurement, and including more medical services in the scheme, a conference on medical insurance work revealed on Dec. 14.
According to details released at this industry work conference, 91 new drugs have been added to the latest national medical insurance drug catalog, bringing the total number to 3,159, while the most recent round of the centralized procurement initiative has reduced the prices of another 62 medicines for Chinese patients.
In addition, the majority of Chinese localities have added assisted reproduction services to the scope of medical insurance reimbursement, benefiting more than a million people so far this year, according to the work conference.
From: Xinhua
China’s job market remains stable in January-November
China’s job market remained generally stable in the first 11 months of 2024, as the surveyed urban unemployment rate on average edged down on a year-on-year basis, official data showed on Dec. 16.
The surveyed urban unemployment rate on average in China stood at 5.1 percent in the first 11 months of this year, down 0.1 percentage points from the same period last year, the National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement.
From: Xinhua
Forum stresses people-centered urban governance
A new declaration emphasizing people-centered urban governance was released on Dec. 19 at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Beijing Forum on Swift Response to Public Complaints.
The “Beijing Declaration on Modernizing Urban Governance (2024)” underscores the need for cities to balance rapid development with social harmony, safety and public happiness.
This year’s forum, themed “Modernizing for People-Centered Urban Governance,” opened on Dec. 18 in Beijing. The annual event, which operates under the permanent theme “People’s City, Better Future,” featured an opening ceremony, a main forum, six parallel sessions and other activities.
From: China Daily
Xi expresses expectations for new Macao SAR government
President Xi Jinping on Dec. 20 expressed expectations for the newly inaugurated government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, called on the new SAR government to promote the appropriate diversification of the local economy, improve governance efficiency, build a platform for higher-level opening up, and safeguard social harmony and stability.
He made the remarks at a gathering here celebrating the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Macao SAR.
From: CGTN
Free health checkups for the blind in Beijing
“The moment I walked into the checkup center, a friendly nurse immediately came over to guide me through the tests,” said Li Yunshuang, a visually impaired woman, after completing her health checkup. “This is something I never dared to hope for before.”
A launch ceremony for the “Assisting Blind People with Health Checkups” initiative took place in Beijing on Dec. 21, a joint effort by the China Association of Persons with Visual Disabilities, Ciming Health Checkup Management Croup Co Ltd, a leading Chinese healthcare company and other commonweal organizations including Alibaba Foundation and Alibaba Health.
The initiative will offer free health checkups to 500 blind individuals across 10 provinces in China. In addition, discounted health checkup packages will be available to certified individuals with visual impairments nationwide, through partnerships with local medical centers.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
China beefs up fiscal support for disaster control, emergency management
China has stepped up fiscal support for disaster control and emergency management, the country’s finance minister said on Dec. 22.
From 2019 to 2023, China’s general public budget spending on disaster prevention and reduction and emergency management reached 3.05 trillion yuan (about $424.2 billion), with an average annual growth rate of 8.85 percent, said Finance Minister Lan Fo’an while delivering a report to an ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
The report, detailing China’s fiscal spending on disaster prevention and reduction and emergency management, revealed that both central and local governments have made continuous efforts to provide solid financial support for the sector.
From: Xinhua
12356 set as hotline for distress calls
A nationwide mental health support hotline will soon be available across China, aiming to address the growing prevalence of psychological issues, the National Health Commission announced on Dec. 25.
The hotline number — 12356 — is expected to be operational around New Year’s Day on Jan. 1 or this year’s Spring Festival on Jan. 29 and will be accessible nationwide starting May 1, according to the commission.
Through the hotline, operators will provide mental health education, psychological counseling and support, as well as respond to urgent mental health needs. Efforts are also underway to integrate the mental health hotline with the country’s emergency hotlines for police, fire and medical aid services.
From: China Daily
China rolls out nationwide reform to allow shared access to employee health insurance accounts
China has further reformed its health insurance program to allow more individuals to use their relatives’ account balances to cover medical expenses.
Under a program that has been extended to all provincial regions in China as of Dec. 9, eligible holders of employee health insurance can link their personal accounts to the health insurance of close relatives through online channels, enabling shared access to funds, the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) announced on Dec. 26.
From: Xinhua
Top court puts juvenile protection on high priority
China’s top court has announced plans to intensify judicial efforts to address public concerns and optimize the business environment, with measures highlighted in a five-year judicial reform outline released on Dec. 26.
The Supreme People’s Court outlined strategies aimed at protecting children, enhancing economic development and improving judicial efficiency as part of the comprehensive reform plan.
Mao Zhonghua, vice-president of the top court, said the 45-article outline prioritizes improving child-related case handling procedures, including preventive measures against juvenile crime and support for minor offenders’ rehabilitation.
From: China Daily
More court judgments available for public search in China
Chinese courts published more than 8.1 million judgments on a national online platform from January to November this year, up 67.3 percent year on year, said the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) on Dec. 26.
Publication of judicial documents online for public search has been a key move by the SPC to enhance judicial transparency, said Si Yanli, a senior SPC official, at a press conference.
From: Xinhua
China expands elderly care initiatives amid population ageing
China is stepping up elderly care initiatives as the country grapples with the challenges of an aging population, which now accounts for more than one-fifth of its citizens.
At a national conference on civil affairs on Dec. 30, officials outlined progress in boosting home-based care, nursing facilities and protection for seniors in 2024 as well as new measures for 2025.
Home-based elderly care, which aligns with traditional family values, meets the needs of the majority of seniors who wish to age in place.
From: Xinhua
Shanghai to offer care services for younger kids
Shanghai plans to extend child care services to younger children, aiming to establish a seamless continuum of care from infancy to pre-primary school within single institutions, according to a document released by the city government on Dec. 31.
The city will require synchronized planning, construction and delivery of child care facilities alongside new residential compounds to help working parents balance career responsibilities and child care duties with greater confidence.
The initiatives were outlined in the document as part of efforts to improve early childhood care services and promote a more fertility-friendly environment. The measures align with national directives issued in October, which aim to address societal concerns and create a conducive environment for more young people to consider parenthood.
From: China Daily
January 2025
China provides equal legal protection to foreign investors
China’s courts have strengthened protections for foreign investors by efficiently resolving disputes, a move aimed at fostering high-level openness and creating a favorable business environment, the country’s top court said on Jan. 1.
The Supreme People’s Court highlighted five recent cases involving foreign investors, showcasing efforts to provide equal protection under the law to domestic and international litigants and to offer them comprehensive legal services.
The court emphasized the importance of accurately implementing laws such as the Foreign Investment Law, the Company Law and the Partnership Law to safeguard the rights of foreign enterprises and streamline dispute resolution.
From: China Daily
Multiple legal, policy measures take effect in China
A set of legal and policy measures took effect in China on Jan. 1 as part of the country’s efforts to advance high-quality development and high-standard opening up.
These measures include the country’s first energy law, a new regulation on data security, import tariff cuts on a large number of goods, and a free trade agreement between China and the Maldives, among others.
To boost data security, the new regulation on network data security management seeks to regulate network data processing, protect the legitimate rights and interests of individuals and organizations, and safeguard national security and public interests.
From: Xinhua
Beijing achieves record-breaking 290 days of good air quality in 2024
Beijing recorded 290 days of good air quality last year, the highest since monitoring began, the municipal ecology and environment bureau said on Jan. 2.
The number of days with good air quality in the national capital accounted for 79.2 percent in 2024, marking an increase of 19 days compared to the previous year and a significant rise of 114 days compared to 2013.
The number of days with heavy air pollution dropped dramatically, from 58 in 2013 to just two in 2024, a decrease of 96.6 percent.
From: CGTN
China to create system to fight dementia in seniors
China aims to establish a comprehensive system to significantly curb the overall growth in the incidence rate of dementia-related conditions by 2030, according to an action plan released on Jan. 3.
The document, jointly issued by the National Health Commission and 14 other government departments, outlines plans to create a complete system encompassing prevention efforts, screenings, diagnoses and treatments, rehabilitation and care services for dementia patients by 2030.
From: China Daily
Xi orders all-out rescue efforts following heavy casualties in 6.8-magnitude Xizang quake
President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out rescue efforts to save lives and minimize casualties following a 6.8-magnitude earthquake that took a heavy toll after jolting a county in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region on Jan. 7.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an important instruction, demanding utmost efforts to carry out search and rescue and provide medical treatment for the injured.
From: Xinhua
Authorities respond swiftly after Xizang earthquake
In the wake of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Dingri county in the Xizang Autonomous Region on Jan. 7, China launched a comprehensive and rapid response to ensure the timely delivery of aid and restore critical infrastructure.
The Ministry of Transport immediately activated emergency protocols to clear damaged roads and coordinate relief efforts, while Air China played a key role in providing airlift support to the region, ensuring essential personnel and supplies reached the hardest-hit areas without delay.
By the morning of Jan. 8, all seven affected national and provincial highways had been cleared, with transportation routes restored to facilitate emergency response. Although rural roads experienced varying degrees of damage, some critical sections in the area have been cleared, enabling emergency vehicles to pass freely, the ministry said.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
China achieves 31.87% health literacy rate in 2024
China’s health literacy reached 31.87 percent in 2024, a rise of 2.17 percentage points from the previous year, the National Health Commission said on Jan. 10.
The rate means that about three in 10 people in China have acquired basic knowledge and skills on health.
The health literacy rate in urban areas was 34.74 percent, compared to 29.11 percent in rural regions. But the gap between urban and rural areas has shrunk compared to previous years, said the commission.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
China moves to improve public education
China plans to enhance public education services by adapting to demographic changes, revitalizing county-level high schools and reforming high school entrance exams, officials said at the 2025 National Education Work Conference.
The conference, which was held on Jan. 9 and Jan. 10 in Beijing, set priorities for the year to advance the country’s goal of becoming an “education powerhouse” emphasizing a people-centered approach to education development, the Ministry of Education said.
Measures to improve the quality of schools and regulate off-campus tutoring aim to ensure equality for vulnerable groups, the ministry said.
From: China Daily
Chinese procuratorates further promote campaign against cross-border wire fraud
Chinese procuratorial authorities will further promote a targeted campaign against cross-border wire fraud as a major task for year 2025, according to the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP).
Procuratorial organs will further promote the law-based governance of cyberspace, and cooperate with public security and other relevant authorities to crack down on telecom and cyber fraud, especially cross-border fraudulent schemes, said the SPP at a conference on Jan. 13.
The SPP pledged efforts to further promote the campaign to tackle wire fraud in northern Myanmar, a region plagued by such illegal activities, and to tackle every single link and the root cause of these crimes.
The SPP also urged efforts to combat activities infringing on citizens’ personal information via internet, cyber violence and other related crimes in accordance with the law.
From: Xinhua
China sees substantial improvements in water, air quality
China made headways in ecological and environmental protection in 2024, with notable improvements in air and water quality, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) on Jan. 15.
The proportion of surface-water bodies nationwide classified as having excellent water quality reached 90.4 percent in 2024, marking the first time this figure has exceeded 90 percent.
The figure also represented an increase of 1 percentage point compared to the previous year and has already met the target set in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025).
From: Xinhua
Natural disaster management a priority
The Ministry of Water Resources announced on Jan. 15 that it will prioritize enhancing China’s flood and drought control systems this year, as the nation grapples with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events driven by the climate crisis.
The pledge came in a statement released after the ministry’s annual work conference, held on Jan. 13 and Jan. 14, which reviewed 2024 achievements and set goals for the year ahead.
Reflecting on its handling of widespread flooding and drought disasters last year, the ministry urged heightened vigilance among officials in response to extreme weather conditions.
From: China Daily
Job growth placed high on work agenda
China will employ an array of policy measures to boost job creation this year, as it has a direct bearing on people’s livelihoods, the State Council, the country’s Cabinet, said on Jan. 17.
The country will work harder to unlock the potential of new employment opportunities, with a focus on key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, consumer services and public welfare, to see that the benefits of economic progress are translated into greater employment-generating capacity, according to a State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Qiang.
From: China Daily
China unveils blueprint for building strong education system by 2035
China on Jan. 17 unveiled a new educational blueprint, vowing to build a strong education system by 2035 to support its modernization drive and national rejuvenation.
The 2024-2035 master plan on building China into a leading country in education was jointly issued by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council.
The strong education system of socialism with Chinese characteristics will feature powerful ideological and political leadership, talent competitiveness, scientific and technological underpinning, livelihood security, social synergy, and international influence, according to the document.
From: Xinhua
Shanghai ramps up elderly care amid aging population
Shanghai is going all out to build a high-quality elderly care system and improve services to ensure its senior residents can live happily and healthily, said Jiang Rui, head of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Civil Affairs, at a news conference on Jan. 17.
By the end of 2023, the population aged 60 and above in Shanghai had reached 5.68 million, accounting for 37.4 percent of the city’s total population.
Shanghai now has 176,000 elderly care beds, which is an ample total capacity, after considering such facilities a priority project for 27 consecutive years, she said. It has also opened 542 elderly service stations near residential communities, offering assistance like bathing and caring.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Shanghai adds 622,000 new urban jobs in 2024
Shanghai added 622,000 new urban jobs over the past year, reflecting an overall stable employment situation, Yang Jiaying, director of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security, said at a news conference on Jan. 17.
“When employment is stable, people’s incomes and living standards are secured, providing a solid foundation for economic and social development,” she said.
To maintain the momentum, Shanghai will continue temporarily reducing unemployment insurance rates and optimizing policies to stabilize and expand job opportunities and employment subsidies. The city has set a target of adding over 600,000 new urban jobs in 2025.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Efforts ramped up to avoid poverty resurgence
China has prevented people from falling back into poverty through its efforts to consolidate poverty alleviation outcomes amid rural vitalization efforts, a senior agricultural official said on Jan. 20.
After declaring victory over absolute poverty in 2021, the country set up a five-year transitional period and established a long-term monitoring and assistance mechanism to prevent people from slipping back into poverty.
A total of 5.34 million monitored individuals at risk of falling back into poverty have been stably lifted out of it. All 832 counties removed from the poverty list have developed two or three leading industries, with a combined output value exceeding 1.7 trillion yuan ($233.5 billion), Vice-Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Zhang Xingwang said at a news conference on Jan. 20.
From: China Daily
Officials to gather feedback on drug quality
The National Healthcare Security Administration announced on Jan. 20 that it will dispatch a team of government officials to Shanghai to gather feedback on the quality of drugs included in centralized procurement programs.
The move follows concerns raised during Shanghai’s annual legislative and political advisory sessions, where political advisers and medical experts questioned the efficacy of generic medications procured through national and regional bulk-buy programs.
Under these programs, pharmaceutical companies bid for large-volume contracts with public hospitals, leading to price cuts ranging from 50 percent to more than 90 percent. Most of the medications involved are domestically produced generics.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Per capita income in rural Xizang nears national level in 2024
The per capita disposable income of rural residents in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region saw the fastest growth in the country in 2024, nearing the national average, a remarkable accomplishment considering the region’s challenging plateau conditions.
During the year, the per capita disposable income of rural residents in the region was 21,578 yuan (about 3,010 U.S. dollars), reaching 93.3 percent of the national average level, Li Jianshu, deputy head of the Xizang survey team at the National Bureau of Statistics, said at a press conference held during the annual session of the regional people’s congress concluding on Jan. 22.
From: Xinhua
