Seniors to gain more access to digital tech

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has issued a work plan to make digital technologies more accessible for seniors.

The plan, released on the ministry's website in late December, requires a more diversified supply of smart products suitable for older adults. It urges support for companies developing more than 100 smart devices that are senior friendly, including cellphones, televisions, speakers and high-tech wristbands.

The ministry said it will support companies' efforts to develop "passive and integrated" smart devices for managing and monitoring the health of seniors and will encourage companies to use digital technologies to make their healthcare products and home appliances more senior friendly.

It advocates renovations of the most popular websites, smartphone applications and mini-programs in the country to make their designs more senior friendly and barrier-free.

The ministry also said it will encourage companies, universities, research institutes and social organizations to work together to develop and share more than 50 senior friendly digital technologies.

Ministry aims to enhance safety for urban projects

The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development has issued a notice calling for all-out efforts to ensure the safety of municipal utility, housing and construction projects.

A news website overseen by the ministry said it has required a full and thorough assessment to detect and eliminate risks at gas companies.

The ministry urged better maintenance of municipal utilities, including heating and water supplies, so they can endure extremely low temperatures.

Safety inspections of parks and zoos in cities should be enhanced, and urban parks should ensure the safety of recreational equipment, passenger ropeways and sports equipment, the ministry said.

2 companies fined for refusing cash payments

The Beijing branch of the People's Bank of China has fined two companies for refusing to take cash payments during a six-month-long campaign that began in October to curb the illegal behavior.

In November, the branch fined an insurance company 190,000 yuan ($26,630) and an automobile sales company 50,000 yuan for refusing payments in cash.

Luo Rui, the head of the PBOC's Currency, Gold and Silver Bureau, said there is a strong demand for cash in China despite the fast development of mobile payments.

Cash service is the most fundamental financial service, and hard currency, which isn't prone to problems such as technological disruptions as digital currency is, plays an irreplaceable role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, Luo told a recent news briefing.

Cash is important for seniors, rural residents and low-income people, Luo said, because the use of cash does not require bank accounts or the use of cellphones. It also offers more anonymity and privacy protection than electronic payments.