Government issues new list to improve key services

The General Office of the State Council has issued a new list identifying key government services that need to be improved in such areas as business operation, housing, employment and education, as the country aims to boost the quality and efficiency of government services in more sectors and on a larger scale.

The list, released on July 19, includes services for relocation registration, data reporting and heavy-cargo transportation for business entities, as well as services for medical expense reimbursement, applications for affordable housing and overseas studies for the public.

In January, the State Council, China's Cabinet, issued its first list of 13 key government service items to be improved, with an aim to diversify the approaches to such services, optimize procedures, streamline paperwork and reduce costs.

According to the State Council, relevant departments will strengthen communication and data sharing to promote standardization and coordination regarding items within certain sectors and help address possible challenges, thus better delivering benefits to enterprises and the public.

Guidelines target obesity in primary, secondary schools

China on Monday rolled out guidelines to combat obesity among primary and secondary school students, emphasizing the need to prevent the problem and intervene as early as possible when it surfaces.

The guidelines were jointly issued by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, the Ministry of Education, the National Health Commission and the General Administration of Sport of China.

Weight problems are affecting the health of primary and secondary school students, necessitating urgent intervention, the guidelines note.

Key recommendations include promoting healthy eating habits — such as specifying the need to consume less salt, oil and sugar — providing scientific intervention methods and encouraging schools to hire qualified nutritionists.

The guidelines also call for ensuring daily physical activity with at least one physical education class per day, conducting regular health screenings and establishing health records for students, with parents receiving timely feedback.

A self-assessment form for overweight and obese children has been introduced to enable families and schools to perform evaluations under professional guidance.

Education expenditures up 5.3 percent year-on-year

China's education expenditures saw a 5.3 percent year-on-year increase in 2023, reaching a total of 6.5 trillion yuan ($890 billion), according to data released by the Ministry of Education on Monday.

Higher education experienced a notable spike in funding, receiving 1.9 trillion yuan, a 7.6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022. Of this amount, vocational education received 363 billion yuan, a 7.1 percent hike during that period, indicating a continued emphasis on developing skilled laborers.

The national expenditure on senior high school education reached roughly 1 trillion yuan last year, a 6.2 percent jump from 2022. Of these funds, 330.9 billion yuan was invested in secondary vocational education, up 2.1 percent year-on-year, the data shows.

Investment in the nine-year compulsory education system added up to 2.8 trillion yuan, an increase of 6 percent compared to the previous year.