Haikou event focuses on curbing invasive species

The Rural Energy and Environment Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs recently hosted an event in Haikou, Hainan province, to push forward the prevention and control work of invasive species.

It was pointed out at the event held earlier this month that long-term, systematic efforts are needed to tackle the expansion of invasive plant and animal species in the country, such as bitter-vine, golden apple snail and Canadian goldenrod.

Agricultural authorities are required to follow relevant laws and work plans and adopt targeted methods to curb the spread of those species that have already invaded the country while preventing more from entering.

It was emphasized that regular monitoring should be carried out in high-risk areas, including borders and major grain-producing areas, to spot any new or major invasive species.

Authorities were also asked to take creative measures to increase the public's awareness to better prevent the invasion of such species.

Merchants encouraged to expand payment options

The People's Bank of China, the Ministry of Commerce and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange have issued a notice laying out measures that would help merchants better optimize their ability to receive payments from senior residents and foreigners in China.

Local commerce authorities and PBOC's branches should work together to make a list of key business venues for such consumers, including shopping malls, department stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants and duty-free shops.

They should encourage these businesses to better equip themselves to accept various forms of payment such as those made by phone, domestic and foreign bank cards, and cash so that consumers have a choice on how they would like to pay.

The authorities are also urged to guide business entities in the retail, catering and accommodation sectors — especially convenience stores, farmers' markets, breakfast eateries, beauty salons, barbershops and pharmacies — to accept cash payments, the notice said.

They should also push financial institutions in the banking sector, non-bank payment institutions and clearinghouses to improve mobile payment services, so that it will be easier for senior residents and foreigners to register for and use such services, the notice said.

It also encouraged e-commerce platforms to offer multilingual services and more payment options to meet the needs of foreign shoppers.

Ministries pushing for textile industry upgrade

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Commerce have launched an annual campaign to promote the upgrading of the textile industry.

In a notice issued earlier this month, the general offices of the two ministries asked relevant authorities at the provincial level and the China National Textile and Apparel Council to enhance the digitization of the textile sector through a series of measures.

The measures include promoting the renewal and renovation of old equipment to increase the digital capacity of companies, and introducing intelligent manufacturing technologies to textile industrial parks.

Authorities were also asked to improve their services to help nurture famous textile brands, promote the sector's green and low-carbon development, and work to increase coordination between different companies on the supply chain.

The notice also called on the textile sector to continue international cooperation efforts and tap into both the domestic and foreign markets.