Various issues of general interest were discussed with permit systems, tackling poverty, aviation and education taking the lead.

Residence permit system to be promoted nationwide

China will promote the residence permit system nationwide this year, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

As of Aug 14, 29 provincial-level regions had released plans to establish a residence permit system.

More than 43 million permits have been issued nationwide for arrivals to big cities.

Meanwhile, another system will be established to provide basic public services when the country’s efforts to build the permit system proceed.

Public security authorities will register people without a permanent residency and issue ID cards for people from other places, as well as check and abolish permanent residencies for the deceased, said Huang Ming, deputy minister of public security.

In addition, all county and city governments have started handling ID cards for migrant people starting in July, which will make it easier for them to get new cards when they are lost or if they move to new homes in their chosen destination.

More measures to target poverty-relief efforts

A plan to reduce insurance fees, medical payments and increase social security benefits for those less well-off is being introduced, according to a recently released guideline.

The document, focusing on social security for those on low incomes, was released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Finance and the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development.

The guideline urged local governments to cover part or all of the minimum pension insurance for registered people living in poverty, saying the fee should remain at the current level even if it is raised for other people.

The insurance system for major diseases will be enhanced in urban and rural areas, better serving the less well-off.

Patients with black-lung disease will benefit from the guideline as they can buy cheaper medicine as some drugs are covered in the work injury insurance lists of certain drugs.

Treatment techniques and facilities, which meet medical treatment standards, will also be covered by work injury insurance, the guideline said.

Less-developed regions to promote agriculture

The Ministry of Agriculture has decided to promote agricultural technology services in seven less-developed regions by hiring technicians to help poverty-stricken families develop their businesses.

The seven pilot regions are located in Zhangjiakou in Hebei province, Enshi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture in Hubei province, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture in Hunan province, Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture, Ganzi Tibetan autonomous prefecture and Aba Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Sichuan province, and Yan’an in Shaanxi province.

At least three counties in each of these regions will carry out the pilot guideline, the document said.

Civil aviation reform gets a boost in NE China

Civil aviation reform will be deepened to boost the industry’s development in Northeast China, according to a guideline aimed at developing civil aviation in the region to help revitalize the old industrial bases.

The guideline was released by the Civil Aviation Administration, as part of the country’s efforts to boost economic growth for Northeast China, including Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces.

It also covers the eastern part of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

The guideline sets targets for training professionals, providing funds and subsidies, and cutting taxes. New research and development platforms will be established in the regions and the airport network will be improved by building new airports or expanding the operations of existing airports, the guideline said.

More autonomous power delegated to universities

Educational authorities will delegate power to employers, and ensure the autonomy of recruitment and salary payment at universities, according to a notice released by the Ministry of Education.

That was part of the key tasks for the ministry’s leading group on talent for 2017, which also include promoting reform in recruiting talent and managing reasonable and orderly movement of these professionals.

Universities will also have the authority over professional rankings.