Regulations to ensure fair market competition
China will bring regulations for fair competition reviews into force from Aug 1 to help ensure a level playing field for all market players and build a unified domestic market free from regional protectionist practices, according to the country's top market watchdog.
The regulations aim to prevent authorities from rolling out measures that exclude or restrict market competition, Zhou Zhigao, an official of the State Administration for Market Regulation, told a news conference Friday.
When formulating laws, rules and policies related to business activities, the authorities will be required to conduct such reviews over several aspects, including market entry or exit, the free flow of goods and business operation costs and practices, Zhou said.
Work plan aims to upgrade old chemical equipment
The Ministry of Emergency Management, together with three other departments, has issued a work plan for the phasing out and upgrading of old chemical equipment. This initiative is part of China's commitment to launching a new round of large-scale equipment upgrades and further facilitating trade-ins of consumer goods this year.
Given that some chemical installations and equipment in China have been in operation for many years since their establishment last century, the plan is also part of the country's efforts to conduct a three-year campaign from this year to 2026 aimed at addressing workplace safety risks.
According to the plan, enterprises that have obtained permission to produce or use hazardous chemicals are required to gradually phase out or upgrade old equipment and certain storage tanks identified during recent safety inspections, in accordance with relevant policies and standards.
Authorities are instructed to develop a timetable, refine policies and strengthen both technical and financial support for this initiative. Additionally, relevant departments should promptly address any problems that arise during the process to ensure that all tasks are completed successfully, it said.
New measures support China's home services sector
China has introduced measures to support its home services industry, aiming to promote employment in the sector and better meet people's needs, according to a guideline released on Friday.
The guideline, jointly issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and several other departments, emphasized the need to adapt to the evolving demands in the sector with such efforts as developing and revising national occupational standards for related professions.
Domestic service companies and training institutions are encouraged to guide home service workers to participate in skill level assessments and obtain occupational skill certificates.
While companies are primarily responsible for improving the skills of home service workers, the guideline also calls for further school-enterprise cooperation to develop programs that enhance both academic qualifications and vocational skills.
The guideline highlighted the importance of encouraging more workers to seek employment or start businesses in the domestic services sector, aiming to expand the workforce and alleviate labor shortages.
To this end, efforts will be made to help domestic service companies build brands, strengthen supervision over the industry and support social organizations and legal aid institutions in safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of workers in accordance with the law.
Additionally, the guideline stated that China will organize national-level competitions in the future to leverage the role of such events in enhancing domestic service skills.
