Cross-province settlement of medical bills for counties
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Ministry of Finance recently released a notice to set up cross-provincial direct settlement of medical bills in at least one medical institute in each county or district.
The move was aimed to expand the range of direct reimbursement for medical bills and should be completed within months, the notice said, adding that procedures should be streamlined by introducing multiple channels such as the internet, telephone, fax and mobile phone apps.
32,300 to benefit from scholarships this year
The China Scholarship Council announced that 32,300 government-sponsored scholarships are planned for this year to support Chinese applicants studying abroad.
In a notice released by the council, the scholarships will cover nine categories, including visiting scholars, postdoctorate programs, international exchanges for undergraduates and special programs for art professionals.
New measures to ensure faster trips home
The National Development and Reform Commission and 10 other departments held a teleconference on the upcoming Spring Festival travel rush to ensure faster and more convenient journeys.
The Spring Festival travel rush, also known as chunyun, will last 40 days this year, from Feb 1 until March 12.
During this period, 388 million trips are expected to be made via rail, an increase of 8.8 percent compared with last year. As the high-speed railway network expands, more passengers will enjoy fast and convenient trips on bullet trains, China Railway Co said.
Meanwhile, artificial intelligence and big data will help squeeze out ticket scalpers.
Navigation for restrooms to be offered in scenic sites
The China National Tourism Administration recently started a new system for tourism information, which will help tourists find restrooms in and near scenic sites.
Tourists can click a button on Amap, a navigation service provider, to enter the system and can see restrooms in and outside scenic spots. Clicking a scenic site means users can get an introduction, find out about neighboring areas and complaint submissions. In the “smart scenic sites” section, other information such as restaurants and shops can also be found.
Larger number of migrant workers to be insured
A notice was released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and other departments, saying that migrant workers working for construction projects, such as railways, highways, energy and airports, will be included in injury insurance.
The document said a certain portion of contract volumes or fees charged for construction can be used to insure migrant workers. For costly projects, insurance can be purchased based on salary volume and the basic ratio for injury insurance, it added.
One-stop service to be provided on taxation
The State Administration of Taxation will offer a one-stop service for taxpayers. New taxpayers can apply online for the service and taxation authorities should complete the service in a certain period of time, the administration said.
Stricter supervision on cosmetics to be introduced
The China Food and Drug Administration recently released a new management rule to monitor risks in cosmetic products.
The rule said a new secretariat will be established at the National Institute for Food and Drug Control. A working group will be established by the CFDA and other departments, who will be responsible for collecting information of cosmetic risks and submit suggestions to improve and strengthen random samplings, the rule said.
Classification of waste disposal to be promoted
The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development has released a notice to accelerate the classification of waste disposal in 46 key cities.
The cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin, were urged to establish demonstration zones for waste disposal classification. Before 2035, the 46 key cities should set up a complete classification system for waste disposal with world-leading technologies to dispose of waste, the document said.
