August 2025
European scholars and influencers witness eco progress in Inner Mongolia
From Aug. 4 to 10, 2025, think tank scholars and social media influencers from nine European countries visited north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to take part in the Human Rights Action in China·2025 Inner Mongolia Tour.
They gained firsthand insight into how local ecological conservation is integrated with cultural tourism development, while also experiencing horseback riding and equestrian performances in traditional Mongolian attire.
From: People’s Daily Online
China unveils climate health action plan
China has released an action plan to build a livable, green and safe environment as part of its efforts to better address the health consequences of climate change and improve public well-being.
The plan, issued on Aug. 4 by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration and 15 other government departments, outlines a series of tasks to be completed by the end of 2030. These include raising environmental health literacy, promoting household waste classification, improving drinking water quality and curbing indoor air pollution.
The plan aims to “incorporate the concept of environmental health into policies across all sectors” and to “focus on addressing prominent environmental issues that harm public health”, the administration said.
From: China Daily
Make safety of elderly nursing homes a priority during floods, local authorities urged
The Ministry of Civil Affairs has urged local authorities to step up their flood prevention efforts, especially to secure the safety of elderly people in nursing homes.
The ministry held a teleconference on Aug. 4, urging the civil affairs bureaus at all levels to improve their ability to handle flood emergencies by identifying houses of the elderly facing possible dangers amid floods and taking corresponding emergency preparedness measures. The local authorities should take decisive steps to transfer and relocate elderly people when facing severe floods, the ministry said in an online release on Aug. 5.
Residences of the elderly should get priority in rescue during floods and should be equipped with flood prevention supplies. The local authorities are required to better the on-call system of elderly houses and make sure a 24-hour duty system is in service in emergencies.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Xi stresses key role of public opinion
President Xi Jinping has stressed efforts to study and absorb netizens’ opinions and suggestions in formulating China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).
Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remark in a recent instruction published on Aug. 4, following a monthlong online campaign to seek public opinion on the blueprint.
He noted that the online solicitation of opinions and suggestions saw high participation and wide coverage, serving as a vivid example of whole-process people’s democracy.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Xizang’s regional GDP expected to exceed 300 billion yuan this year
Southwest China’s Xizang autonomous region has seen steady economic growth, with its regional gross domestic product (GDP) projected to surpass 300 billion yuan (about $42 billion) this year, according to a press conference held on Aug. 5, 2025.
The region’s GDP reached 276.5 billion yuan in 2024, 155 times that of 1965 -- when the autonomous region was established — reaching an average annual growth rate of 8.9 percent, Wang Junzheng, secretary of the Communist Party of China Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee, told the press conference on the 60th founding anniversary of Xizang autonomous region.
From: Xinhua
Xizang regional official refutes reports of Tibetan language removal from curriculum, stresses it remains core subject in schools
When asked about media reports that the Tibetan language has been removed from the college entrance examination, or gaokao, in China’s Xizang Autonomous Region and is no longer treated as a main subject in schools, Gama Cedain, chairman of the people’s government of Xizang, said at a press conference on Aug. 5 that the adjustment of gaokao subjects does not mean the Tibetan language has been removed from the curriculum.
At the press conference highlighting the Xizang Autonomous Region’s social and economic development on the 60th anniversary of its founding, Gama Cedain further emphasized that Tibetan remains a core academic subject in primary and secondary schools across Xizang and other Tibetan-inhabited areas, and the Tibetan language curriculum at the basic education level remains unchanged.
From: Global Times
China announces phased implementation of free preschool education
Starting from the autumn semester of 2025, China will waive the care and education fees for children in public kindergartens in the year prior to entering primary school, according to a guideline made public by the State Council on Aug. 5.
The move aims to effectively lower education costs and improve the country’s public education services, according to the document issued by the General Office of the State Council.
For children enrolled in private kindergartens, their care and education fees will also be reduced in accordance with the amount exempted at local public kindergartens, according to the document.
From: Xinhua
Plan issued to upgrade rural connectivity
China has unveiled a new national plan to build and upgrade 300,000 kilometers of rural roads by 2027, aiming to boost connectivity, improve road safety and support rural vitalization, according to a policy document released on Aug. 6.
The New Round of Rural Road Improvement Action Plan, jointly published by the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Natural Resources, aims to build a convenient, efficient, inclusive and equitable transportation network across rural areas in China.
From: China Daily
China to provide interest subsidy for personal consumption loans
China will provide interest subsidies for qualifying personal consumption loans in the country’s latest effort to boost consumption, according to an official announcement on Aug. 12, 2025.
The provisions outlined in the announcement, issued jointly by the Ministry of Finance, the People’s Bank of China and the National Financial Regulatory Administration, will be implemented from Sept. 1 this year to Aug. 31, 2026.
During this period, individuals may receive interest subsidies on portions of personal consumption loans, excluding credit card business, issued by lending institutions — provided the funds are actually used for consumption purposes and transactions can be verified through loan disbursement accounts.
From: Xinhua
Uzbek edition of “Xi Jinping: On Respecting and Protecting Human Rights” launched in Uzbekistan
A launch ceremony for the Uzbek-language edition of the book titled “Xi Jinping: On Respecting and Protecting Human Rights” was held Aug. 19 in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
Jiang Jianguo, executive vice president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies; Akmal Saidov, director of the National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights; and Yu Jun, Chinese ambassador to Uzbekistan, attended the event and delivered speeches. Nearly 300 people participated in the event.
From: Xinhua
Chinese vice-premier stresses medical ethics, professionalism
Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Guozhong has stressed the need for medical workers to adhere to professional ethics and enhance their skills to safeguard people’s health.
Liu made the remarks while visiting medical workers at a traditional Chinese medicine hospital and a community health services center in Beijing on Aug. 19, marking China’s eighth Doctors’ Day.
Highlighting the role medical workers play in protecting people’s lives and health, Liu encouraged them to promote the development of medical technology and enhance the quality of healthcare services.
From: Xinhua
China exempts childcare subsidies from individual income tax
China will exempt childcare subsidies from individual income tax effective from Jan. 1, 2025, according to a notice released by the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration on Aug. 20.
To ensure the implementation of tax exemption, health authorities will work with finance and tax departments to establish an information-sharing mechanism. County-level health authorities will handle applications for tax exemptions by eligible individuals in accordance with regulations.
China has introduced a nationwide childcare subsidy program starting in 2025, as part of broader efforts to support families and encourage childbirth. The program offers families 3,600 yuan (about 504 U.S. dollars) per year for each child under the age of three.
From: Xinhua
Scholars laud China’s human rights progress
China’s progress in protecting human rights offers valuable insights for the Global South in developing governance models suited to their own national conditions, scholars from China and Africa say.
They made the remark at a readers’ forum on Xi Jinping: On Respecting and Protecting Human Rights — a collection of the Chinese president’s statements on the subject — held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Aug. 21.
Senior officials, diplomats, lawyers and scholars from China and African countries applauded the book and China’s unique contributions to global human rights development. The forum was held on the eve of the first China-Africa Human Rights Seminar.
From: China Daily Global
First China-Africa Human Rights Seminar calls for concerted efforts to realize right to development
The First China-Africa Human Rights Seminar was held on Aug. 22 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, under the theme “Building the China-Africa Community with a Shared Future and Working Together to Realize the Right to Development.”
The event brought together more than 200 policymakers, scholars, diplomats, and media representatives from China and Africa to explore ways to advance human rights, particularly the right to development.
From: Xinhua
Chinese medical institutions urged to step up building of barrier-free environment
Medical institutions in China should step up the development of a barrier-free environment and ensure that people with disabilities receive services with ease when they visit such institutions, according to a document released on Aug. 27.
The document, jointly released by China’s National Health Commission and the China Disabled Persons’ Federation, listed a number of measures for medical institutions to follow.
From: Xinhua
September 2025
Rights and living standards of women and children in Xizang see significant improvement
The rights and living standards of women and children in the Xizang autonomous region have improved significantly over recent decades, regional authorities said at a news conference on Sept. 5.
According to the regional women’s federation, maternal and infant health indicators have reached record levels. Xizang now has more than 7,200 medical institutions, including 199 hospitals. The maternal mortality rate has dropped to 34.94 per 100,000, while infant mortality has fallen to 4.32 per thousand. Nearly all births, 99.34 percent, now take place in hospitals, data from the federation showed.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
China human rights foundation delegation concludes visit to Türkiye, Italy
A delegation led by Zhou Shuchun, executive vice-president of China Foundation for Human Rights Development, concluded a five-day visit to Türkiye and Italy on Sept. 5.
During the trip, the delegation held in-depth discussions with institutions including Türkiye’s Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation and the Institute for International Legal Studies of Italy’s National Research Council on issues of common concern, and met with Pier Ferdinando Casini, honorary president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and member of Italy’s Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. They reached broad consensus.
From: Xinhua
China’s remarkable global achievement in air pollution control
The world observed International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies on Sept. 7, with this year’s theme, “Racing for Air.” The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) China Office hosted a themed event in Beijing to commemorate the day.
UN officials highlighted that air pollution remains one of the greatest environmental health risks of our time, stressing that pollution knows no borders and that everyone shares the responsibility to protect the atmosphere and ensure healthy air for all, China Media Group (CMG) reported. Once one of the world’s most polluted cities, Beijing has transformed into one of the cleanest capital cities globally. China’s efforts and achievements in air pollution control have garnered high praise from the international community.
From: CGTN
China formulates, revises 150 sets of administrative regulations in 14th Five-Year Plan period
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China has enhanced its legislation work with the aims of better serving the high-quality social and economic development, and better safeguarding the interests and benefits of the people, a senior Chinese official said Sept. 8.
During the period, China’s State Council submitted 53 legislative proposals to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress for deliberation, and formulated or revised 150 sets of administrative regulations, said He Rong, minister of justice, at a press conference.
From: Xinhua
China advances public legal services, delivers over 170 million consultations in five years
China’s public legal services sector has provided more than 170 million legal consultations during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the Ministry of Justice announced on Sept. 8.
Minister of Justice He Rong shared the figures at a press conference highlighting China’s judicial work over the past five years.
She noted that the country has also stepped up efforts to enhance the balance and accessibility of public legal services across regions, while proactively addressing the legal needs of groups including migrant workers, people with disabilities, the elderly, juveniles, and military personnel and their families.
From: Xinhua
China reviews draft revision to prison law, including provisions for foreign inmates
A draft revision to China’s Prison Law was on Sept. 8 submitted to the 17th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) for its second reading.
The draft introduces provisions concerning foreign inmates, stipulating that their lawful rights and interests be protected and that they receive fair and just treatment during the execution of their sentences.
From: Xinhua
China ready to actively participate in improving global human rights governance: ambassador
China stands ready to actively participate in improving global human rights governance, Chen Xu, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, said on Sept. 9.
Chen made the remarks when addressing the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council. He elaborated on China’s position and proposals in the field of global human rights governance.
From: Xinhua
China’s average life expectancy rises to 79
Chinese people’s average life expectancy has risen to 79 years as of the end of 2024, marking a notable increase of 1.1 years compared to 2020, the country’s top health official said at a press conference in Beijing on Sept. 11.
It marked “a notable improvement” for a developing country, said Lei Haichao, head of the National Health Commission.
Lei, speaking on the country’s progress in the health sector during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), stated that infant and maternal mortality rates have continued to decline over the past five years, and the overall health level of residents has steadily improved.
From: Ecns.cn
China’s top court cracks down on campus food safety violations
China’s top court has directed courts nationwide to strengthen campus food safety by increasing fines or punitive damages, making every effort to protect the legitimate rights and interests of students and teachers.
Disclosing eight notable cases on Sept. 11, the Supreme People’s Court emphasized that campus food safety is a major public welfare issue, crucial for the healthy development of children, the happiness of countless families and the future of social growth.
To address new issues related to campus food safety, the top court has released several legal documents to guide judges in handling related disputes. One such document clarifies that those who sell substandard food to minors within or around primary and secondary schools, as well as childcare institutions, will face heavier penalties.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Courts crackdown on online misconduct, emerging business violations
Chinese courts have pledged to strengthen the crackdown on violations in emerging businesses and online misconduct to better protect personal rights and ensure the healthy development of the digital economy, an official from China’s top court said on Sept. 12.
He Xiaorong, vice-president of the Supreme People’s Court, said at a news conference in Beijing that the courts will strictly enforce the Civil Code to fight against social issues like cyberbullying and slander, making every effort to protect consumer rights in cyberspace and promote digital economic growth according to the law.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
Chinese state councilor urges improving assistive devices for people with disabilities
Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin on Sept. 12 urged efforts to develop the rehabilitation and assistive device industry for people with disabilities, thus further boosting their wellbeing.
Shen, also director of the State Council’s working committee for disabled people, made the remarks while attending the 2025 Care &Rehabilitation Expo China (CR Expo), which was held in Beijing.
During the event, Shen watched the presentation of homegrown high-tech devices such as robotics with brain-computer interface and exoskeletons. She also took time to learn about the research and application of intelligent wheelchairs and other items.
From: Xinhua
Draft regulation boosts personal data protection
China’s top cyberspace regulator has released a draft regulation that requires major online platforms to establish independent committees to enhance the supervision of personal information protection.
The draft, published by the Cyberspace Administration of China on Sept. 12, is open for public comment until Oct 12.
According to the draft, these committees will be responsible for monitoring a wide range of data protection issues, including the handling of sensitive personal information, compliance with cross-border data transfer rules, responses to data security incidents, and the implementation of regulatory rectification requirements.
From: China Daily
China adopts new law to enhance public health emergency response capacity
A new law was adopted by Chinese lawmakers on Sept. 12 to regulate the response to public health emergencies and enhance the country’s capacity to address such situations.
The law on public health emergency response, adopted at a session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, proposed the establishment and improvement of a nationwide public health emergency reporting system.
The law requires medical institutions and on-duty staff to report actual or potential public health emergencies through the online direct reporting system within two hours. Individuals or groups should also report such cases immediately to local authorities or disease control agencies, and those whose reports are later found not to be a public health emergency will not face legal liability.
From: Xinhua
Forum lauds China’s human rights model
China is forging a distinctively people-centered path in human rights development, steadily enhancing protections as it advances modernization, scholars said on Sept. 16 at an academic seminar in Jinan, Shandong province.
The event, titled “Chinese Modernization and Human Rights Protection”, brought together about 100 scholars to discuss theoretical innovations and practical experiences in human rights within the context of China’s modernization.
From: China Daily
China now boasts world’s largest disease control system, health minister says
China has built the world’s largest disease prevention and control system, Health Minister Lei Haichao said on Sept. 18.
Lei said the nation’s disease control system covers the four levels of central government, provinces, cities and counties or districts.
The health literacy of Chinese residents grew from 23.2 percent in 2020 to 31.9 percent in 2024, he said during a news conference held by the State Council Information Office.
The nation has also implemented a nationwide free immunization program that protects against 15 diseases and the premature mortality rate for key chronic diseases has been successfully reined in, he said.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
UN Human Rights Council: UN principles and people’s well-being top the agenda, with China’s poverty elimination efforts highlighted
China’s experience eliminating poverty was highlighted at a meeting of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Sept. 18. Members of the Chinese permanent mission to the UN, were among the diplomats gathered for discussions on the theme: ‘ensuring that all members of society share the fruits of economic and social progress’. With China, the EU, Mexico, Slovenia and Pakistan all giving speeches.
On the same day, the China Society for Human Rights Studies held a conference, featuring talks by members of the delegation on a range of topics from the need to reform global governance, to barriers to development facing impoverished nations and the gap between the rich and poor.
From: CGTN
China moves to upgrade “15-minute community life circles” to facilitate urban living
China will upgrade the “15-minute community life circles” to provide easier access to essential services for urban residents, according to a notice released jointly by the commerce ministry and eight other government departments on Sept. 19.
By 2030, the government plans to create 10,000 convenient “life circles,” ensuring residents can access community services, including childcare and elderly care, cultural and sports facilities, and healthcare centers, within a 15-minute walk from their homes.
Over the next five years, 100 pilot cities will be selected to expand the coverage of these “life circles,” targeting both central urban districts and eligible counties, according to the notice.
From: Xinhua
White paper details great achievements in Xinjiang
The Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is now at the best period of development in its history, featuring unprecedented economic and social progress, marked improvements in people’s well-being and a stronger sense of gain, happiness and security among residents, according to a white paper issued on Sept. 19.
Titled “Communist Party of China Guidelines for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era: Practice and Achievements”, the white paper was unveiled at a news conference held by the Information Office of the State Council in Beijing.
Consisting of a preface, main body and conclusion, the 21,000-word document expounds on the rich content of the CPC’s guidelines for governing Xinjiang in the new era and showcases the great achievements Xinjiang has made in reform, development and stability, among other areas.
From: China Daily
China releases white paper on advancement of women’s development
A white paper titled “China’s Achievements in Women’s Well-Rounded Development in the New Era” was released on Sept. 19 by the State Council Information Office.
The white paper, consisting of five chapters, was released ahead of the 2025 Global Leaders’ Meeting on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, which will be held in Beijing.
The white paper provides a comprehensive introduction to China’s philosophy, principles and innovative practices in promoting gender equality and women’s well-rounded development in the new era.
From: Xinhua
China makes progress in ensuring gender equality in education
China has made progress in gender equality in education, achieving zero dropout rates for the nine-year compulsory education, including for girls, through a dynamic process. Despite global challenges, China aims to integrate gender equality throughout its entire education system, officials said.
Qin Changwei, secretary-general of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, told the 2025 International Symposium on Girls’ and Women’s Education held in Beijing on Sept. 20 that China has taken effective measures in reducing gender gaps and promoting equal education.
From: chinadaily.com.cn
China expands medical insurance coverage against rare diseases
China has expanded its rare disease catalog to 207 conditions and included nearly 100 rare disease drugs in its medical insurance scheme, according to information released at the 2025 China Conference on Rare Diseases, which concluded on Sept. 21.
Due to their low incidence, small patient populations, and high research and development costs, rare diseases have received limited attention in the healthcare field. Through coordinated inter-agency efforts, China has accelerated the development of a system for the prevention and treatment of such diseases, making drugs more accessible and affordable for the patients.
From: Xinhua
Chinese official highlights progress on women’s rights at UN meeting
Speaking at a UN meeting to mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Women’s Conference on Sept. 22, Huang Xiaowei, deputy head of the National Working Committee on Children and Women of China’s State Council, said China has honored its Beijing Women’s Conference commitments, improving women’s rights in education, health and employment, while promoting global cooperation through awards, training, aid and digital platforms.
From: CGTN
China delivers on education development goals for 2021-2025 period
China boasts the world’s largest education system and has been taking steady and meticulous steps to enhance its global competitiveness in education.
In March 2021, China unveiled the outline of its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for national economic and social development, which sets out a series of targets for the education sector during this key period in the country’s efforts to build a modern socialist country.
These targets range from ensuring equitable access to basic public education and improving vocational and technical education to raising the quality of higher education and deepening education reform.
More than four years later, results and statistics summarized at a press conference on Sept. 23 show that China has not only met these targets but has also made breakthroughs in multiple areas of education.
From: Xinhua
China strengthens efforts to improve workplace safety, fire prevention
Chinese authorities on Sept. 26 pledged to further intensify efforts to ensure workplace safety, and enhance forest and grassland fire prevention during the autumn and winter seasons.
A video conference focusing on these efforts was held in Beijing, calling for measures to effectively prevent major workplace accidents as well as forest and grassland fires.
Zhang Guoqing, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice premier of the State Council, attended the meeting and delivered a speech.
From: Xinhua
China’s employment situation stable amid policy incentives
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China’s employment situation has been bolstered by a series of supportive policies and remained generally stable while its structure continued to be optimized and the quality of employment steadily improved, Wang Xiaoping, minister of human resources and social security, said on Sept. 26.
As of August, a total of 59.21 million new urban jobs had been created since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), surpassing the target of 55 million, Wang told a press conference.
From: Xinhua
Chinese modernization living example of putting people first: report
Chinese modernization, with the pursuit of common prosperity for all as its central goal, offers a living interpretation of the value orientation of putting people first, a think tank report, titled “Theory on the Development of Civilizations — Building a New Vision of Civilizations with Development at the Core,” said on Sept. 27.
The core of civilizational development lies in “people,” rather than in “things” or “tools,” the report emphasized.
According to the report, the battle against poverty lifted a nearly 100-million rural population out of poverty in China, the rural revitalization strategy is aimed at narrowing the urban-rural divide, and pilot zones for common prosperity are exploring new models of shared development. These practices have broken the fate of “the rich get richer” that characterizes Western modernization, it said.
From: Xinhua
