Campaign targets medical cosmetology

Authorities have been conducting a special nationwide campaign since September to crack down on illegal activities in the medical cosmetology sector, the State Administration for Market Regulation said in a notice on Dec 8.

The campaign was launched together with 10 other government agencies to deal with problems including dubious product claims, the sale of fake products, illegal medical practices and price gouging.

During the campaign, individuals and institutions providing illegal medical cosmetology services or misusing drugs or medical devices will be severely punished.

Meanwhile, efforts will be made to support the development of medical cosmetology institutions and to improve the quality of the sector by optimizing supervisory regulations, the notice said.

The administration also revealed cases that authorities have investigated and prosecuted.

China No 1 in number of motor vehicles, drivers

China had approximately 415 million motor vehicles and more than 500 million licensed drivers by the end of November, both ranking first in the world, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Public Security on Dec 8.

Among licensed drivers, 463 million drive cars, the official data showed.

In recent years, automobile ownership in China has increased by more than 20 million vehicles annually, reaching 318 million by the end of last month, the ministry said.

The number of licensed Chinese drivers has increased annually by 25 million on average since 2014.

Currently, one in two Chinese adults holds a driver's license. The number of drivers under age 25 is 54.48 million, accounting for 10.9 percent of the national total.

The number of licensed drivers in rural areas has also grown rapidly in recent years, with an annual increase of more than 13 million.

About 289 million rural residents have obtained driver's licenses, accounting for 57.8 percent of all drivers nationwide, the ministry said.

At the same time, the number of motor vehicles in rural areas is 208 million, of which 140 million are cars, accounting for 50.2 percent and 44.1 percent of the country's total, respectively.

Nation to set up TCM IT system by 2025

The National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine has unveiled a plan to promote the role of information technology in the development of TCM during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period.

According to the plan published on Dec 5, a TCM IT system that works in conjunction with China's healthcare mechanism will be created by 2025, with the aim of bringing greater benefit and convenience to the public.

The plan encourages the establishment of smart TCM hospitals around the country and the promotion of online TCM pharmacies and medical services.
Flexible inter-hospital patient transfers, mutual recognition, the sharing of lab and examination reports and other services will also be enhanced among TCM hospitals, the plan said.