In the past week, a number of ministries, including the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Transport and the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, have responded to issues of public concern.

Three-month campaign targeting illegal tourism to be launched

China will launch a three-month campaign targeting illegal tourism practices. The campaign will focus on areas where outbound passengers concentrate, and tourist destinations and practices that force consumers to pay ahead for services, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said in a statement.

Services offered by illegal tourist agencies using the internet or outdoor clubs will also be targeted.

Illegal taxi cabs, unqualified tour guides and agencies will also be targeted in the campaign to improve the quality of tourism services and ensure the safety of tourists.

New safety guideline issued for passenger transport companies

China has rolled out a new safety management guideline to better supervise passenger transport companies to ensure safety and reduce potential risks.

The guideline－jointly released by the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Public Security, and Ministry of Emergency Management on May 31－prioritizes safety education and management of drivers, risk management and control and examination of hidden dangers.

It also includes frequency of training for drivers, requirements for alternating driving and rest periods, and the number of drivers required for long-distance buses. Statistics show that 55.8 percent of road accidents that caused more than 10 deaths between 2012 and 2017 involved passenger vehicles and tour coaches. Passenger transport companies failing to assume responsibilities of work safety and drivers driving while suffering fatigue are frequent causes for such accidents.

Insurance regulator standardizes long-term rental procedures

China’s banking and insurance regulator has taken steps to standardize practices by insurance companies to invest in long-term home rental programs.

Insurance companies should not only play to their own advantages when investing in long-term home rental programs, but also prevent risks, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission said in an online statement on June 1.

Insurance funds can invest in long-term rental projects based in large and medium-sized cities and areas that see net population inflows, the commission said.

The new rules, which took effect on May 28, will widen investment channels for insurance funds, the statement said.

Insurance companies can invest in such projects through both direct investment or equity investments.

Registration of insurance asset investments in long-term home rental projects will be fast-tracked, the statement said.

Focus on tourism sector will help boost services for customers

China will put into use a platform that offers better services and supervision for the tourism sector, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said on June 1.

The platform will cover functions such as reviewing travel agency qualifications, tour guide management and dealing with complaints from consumers.

Tourists can learn about their tour guides and comment on their service through the platform, which can also prevent unreasonably low-priced tours through the public monitoring of prices.

It also makes it easier for travel agencies as their applications can be processed through one-stop services.

New mobile network to be expanded to remote, border areas

China will expand coverage of the fourth-generation mobile network to remote villages, and key border and island areas, according to a government notice released on June 2.

The notice, jointly released by the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, is aimed at solving unbalanced development in telecommunications services and providing infrastructure support for rural vitalization and poverty relief.

Increasing 4G coverage in areas with dense populations, public institutions and key areas will be the priority. Investment from enterprises will be the main channel of funding. Central finance funds will be used in piloting, infrastructure, renting of equipment, subsidizing maintenance, and local authorities will increase coordination and policy support.