Demonstration areas to boost Made in China 2025

China plans to build new national-level demonstration areas for the Made in China 2025 strategy to spur the development of smart, green and service-oriented manufacturing.

The decision was made at a State Council executive meeting presided over by Premier Li Keqiang on July 19.

It was also decided that the government will take advantage of a variety of government and industry funds to spur innovation and entrepreneurship, and guide more social capital to support advanced manufacturing. In demonstration areas, the government will offer stock incentives in State-owned enterprises.

Details>> China launches demonstration areas to boost Made in China 2025

Measures to prevent students from dropping out of school

At the State Council executive meeting on July 19, Premier Li Keqiang decided to create measures to prevent students from dropping out of school during compulsory education.

Subsidies will be issued to poor students, especially for those with disabilities and whose parents have disabilities.

The Premier set a goal that by 2020, 95 percent of students will receive the entire nine-year compulsory education.

Details>> Premier focuses on keeping poor kids in school

Measures to promote temporary assistance

At the State Council executive meeting on July 19, Premier Li Keqiang decided to increase the amount of temporary assistance to people in need.

Government investment in temporary assistance will be increased. The government will also procure temporary assistance service from enterprises and nongovernmental organizations.

The approval procedure of providing temporary assistance also will be simplified.

Details>> Quick view: State Council executive meeting on July 19

Ability of emergency response to be better

China plans to build a better national emergency management system that will be able to effectively address public safety risks, according to a circular published by the State Council on July 19.

In the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), a prevention system for emergencies should be built by 2020 to deal with various risks in natural disasters, industrial production, the environment, public health, public security and cyber security. Evaluation of emergency risks, an alarm system and a database of major risks should be launched.

The government should make infrastructure more resistant to threats in an emergency, especially natural disasters. More emergency shelters should be built in communities.

Details>> China to enhance capability of addressing public safety risks

Guideline on artificial intelligence development

The State Council has issued a guideline on developing artificial intelligence (AI), setting a goal of becoming a global innovation center in this field by 2030.

The total output value of artificial intelligence industries should surpass 1 trillion yuan ($147.80 billion). A mature theory and technology system should be formed.

Developing AI is a “complicated and systematic project” according to the guideline. An open and coordinated AI innovation system should be constructed to develop not only the technology, but also products and market.

Details>> China issues guideline on artificial intelligence development

More medicines covered by public healthcare insurance

Another 36 medicines have been added to public healthcare insurance coverage, according to a circular recently released by the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Security.

With subsidies from healthcare insurance, the average price of those medicines has been cut by 44 percent compared to 2016.

Efforts to promote rural tourism

China has moved to promote development of rural tourism with increased investment and policy support, as the government expects it to help relieve rural poverty and prop up the economy.

A total of 550 billion yuan (more than $80 billion) will be pumped into the sector in 2017, according to an action plan released on July 18 by the National Development and Reform Commission and other government agencies.

The participation of private capital was highlighted in the document, and financing models including public-private-partnerships will be encouraged.

The document predicts 2.5 billion trips to the countryside and 1.4 trillion yuan of rural tourism consumption this year, benefiting around 9 million rural households.

Details>> China moves to boost rural tourism

Minimum prices for government procurement not allowed

The Ministry of Finance revised the management measures for government procurement and services bidding, which regulated that purchasers should scientifically and reasonably make purchasing plans and evaluate prices based on market research concerning market technology, service, products supply and prices.

Purchasers are allowed to set the maximum purchase prices rather than the minimum prices within the quota of purchase budget.

Highways to aid tourism development

Six departments, including the Ministry of Transport and the National Tourism Administration, jointly released a guideline to promote the coordinated development of transportation and tourism.

According to the document, tourism-related services and facilities, such as rest and entertainment areas, ticketing, travel information, parking lots for recreational vehicles, and charging piles for new energy cars, will be established at highway service areas.

The guideline also encouraged that entrances and exits on eligible highways be flexibly set up for popular scenic areas.