Steps taken to ensure stable supply of pork

China will step up efforts to stabilize hog production and ensure pork supply at stable prices following the effects of African swine fever on the industry, the State Council decided at an executive meeting on Aug 21.

Subsidies to farms with culled pigs will be dispensed more quickly, and major hog producers and farm owners will receive more support in expanding their herds, a statement released after the meeting said.

The transportation of piglets and chilled pork will be covered by preferential policies so logistics costs will be reduced, it said.

The meeting said local authorities should promptly scrap bans and limits on hog raising except those stipulated in laws and regulations. For hog producers whose farms have been shut down, land should be organized for rebuilding their farms in areas where hog raising is allowed.

Large-scale farming should be promoted and the one hectare cap on supporting facilities for hog production will be canceled, the statement said.

The meeting also called for efforts to enhance the development of the animal disease prevention system and beef up disease control capabilities, increase local pork reserves, and ensure the basic living standards of people in difficult circumstances.

Better facilities to help attract foreign tourists

China will encourage efforts to develop a group of tourism routes, destinations and creative products to improve the country's environment for inbound tourism, according to a guideline released on Aug 23.

The guideline, issued by the General Office of the State Council, said a series of measures that benefit the public will be introduced in the latest effort to boost consumption in areas of culture and tourism, thus stimulating economic growth.

To make such consumption more convenient, renovation of traditional performance venues and museums will be encouraged to upgrade facilities and provide better dining areas and creative product shops, it said.

By 2022, all shops at culture and tourism destinations should support bank card payment and mobile payment besides cash payment, and 90 percent should have access to online ticket sales and 4G or 5G telecommunications networks, it said.

Local governments will be offered support to increase funding for public service facilities in tourist attractions, upgrade their equipment and products and provide more training for personnel. By 2022, all national 5A-level scenic spots should implement a ticket booking system.

To develop the holiday economy and nighttime economy, a flexible vacation system including segmented annual leave with pay will be encouraged, along with the construction of 24-hour bookstores.

By 2022, more than 200 national cluster areas for nighttime culture and tourism consumption should be built.

Government departments will be required to strengthen supervision and crack down on illegal activities in the culture and tourism market and provide financial support for the building of cultural and tourism infrastructure, the guideline said.