More channels for used goods trading planned

China will multiply the channels for trading used goods and improve management of such trading as it beefs up efforts to develop the country's secondhand goods and remanufacturing industries.

The move aims to ramp up the recycling of waste materials to help reach national goals of peak carbon emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060, according to a guideline published on Jan 21 and jointly issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and six other government agencies.

In order to increase channels for used goods, the guideline called for the regulated development of online trading platforms and flea markets.

Regions that meet development requirements are allowed to build trading markets and shops selling secondhand vehicles, home appliances, mobile phones, furniture, clothing and other goods, it stated.

The guideline also noted that in order to establish a credibility system for used goods trading, information sharing among trading platforms, sellers, consumers and related personnel will be enhanced.

Filing trademarks and patents to get easier

The examination cycle for China's invention patents is expected to be reduced from an average of 20 months to 15 months, according to a five-year plan for patent and trademark examination issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration on Jan 20.

The plan, which specifies development goals and indicators to be reached by 2025, states that a rational increase in the number of applications is one of the administration's major goals.

Efforts will be made to ensure that the number of applications better tallies with national economic development targets, the increase of market entities and the demand for commercial activities, it said.

Meanwhile, malicious patent applications and trademark registrations will be effectively stemmed.

Free cancer tests for women in rural areas

Women aged from 35 to 64 in rural areas will be able to receive free screenings for cervical and breast cancers as China works to expand women's access to these services.

According to two work plans issued by the National Health Commission on Jan 18, screening, which used to be only available to women in urban areas, will be prioritized in rural areas and among urban families living on subsistence allowances.

Breast and cervical cancer are two of the most common cancers among women, and screenings are an effective way to detect the diseases and facilitate treatment.

The plans also encourage the application of the internet and artificial intelligence to screening services.

By the end of 2025, cervical cancer screening coverage for eligible women should exceed 50 percent, while breast cancer screening coverage will increase on an annual basis, according to the plans.