Several ministry-level departments, including those responsible for poverty alleviation, finance, industry and information technology, and human resources and social security, responded recently to issues of public concern.

Authorities pledge funding for battle against poverty

Chinese authorities have pledged to ensure sufficient funding for poverty alleviation work in epidemic-hit regions to secure final victory in the tough battle against poverty.

The central poverty alleviation funding should moderately favor regions and projects impacted by the novel coronavirus outbreak, a circular issued on Feb 18 by the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development and the Ministry of Finance said.

It ordered local governments to tailor support policies for poverty relief work in epidemic-hit regions in accordance with local situations, with priority going to industrial projects, employment and the well-being of the poor.

Efforts should be made to back poverty-relieving industrial projects in terms of production, storage, transportation and sales via means including subsidies, loans with discounted interest rates and rewards to poverty-stricken households who have resumed work.

Support should also go to creating jobs, subsidizing the impoverished seeking jobs in other regions as migrant workers, and providing assistance to those slipping back into poverty or whose life has become difficult due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, the circular said.

This year marks the last year for China to win the battle against poverty and achieve its goal of completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects by the time the Communist Party of China celebrates its centenary next year.

Mobile phone users can prove their whereabouts

All 1.6 billion mobile accounts across the country can receive text messages showing which cities account holders have visited in the past two weeks, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on Feb 18.

The messages are sent by three mobile network operators: China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom. People can text "CXMYD" to their mobile service operators to inquire about the messages. The numbers to use are 10001 for China Telecom, 10086 for China Mobile and 10010 for China Unicom.

The messages can serve as a proof of people's whereabouts. Employers, for example, can check if their employees have visited cities seriously affected by novel coronavirus pneumonia and adopt appropriate quarantine policies.

The service will protect users' privacy, the ministry said.

Safe transport services for migrants returning to work

All provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities should provide safe transport services to migrant workers to ensure they can return to work on time without increasing the risk of the novel coronavirus spreading, a notice issued on Feb 19 said.

Jointly issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Transport, the National Health Commission and China State Railway Group, it said the provincial-level regions should arrange chartered trains or special carriages for migrant workers who need to travel back to work.

They should publicize the services, do a thorough survey to find migrant workers who need to use them, and invite the workers to sign up through online or offline channels.

They should encourage migrant workers who have found a job to sign up for the trips, and encourage those starting work at a similar time in a particular area to travel together.

The authorities should make a special plan for each trip. Before the trip, they should tell the migrant workers how to avoid contracting novel coronavirus pneumonia, take their temperature and prevent travel by high-risk people, such as those who have had close contact with confirmed cases.

When the workers arrive at their destination, the authorities should coordinate with employers to make sure work is offered promptly.

They should also help employers strengthen health protection for workers and prevent any disease clusters in workplaces.