A number of ministry-level departments, including those responsible for veterans affairs, national development and reform, and civil aviation, have responded recently to issues of public concern.

10 measures to boost employment of veterans

China will provide temporary jobs to encourage veterans to work in industries involved in controlling the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic, the provision of public services and safeguarding people's livelihoods, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs said.

It was one of 10 measures issued by the ministry on March 12 in an effort to promote veterans' employment amid the epidemic.

Jobs in areas such as primary-level medical care and social services will be reserved for a higher percentage of veterans, it said.

The ministry said a mechanism ensuring regular contact between primary veterans' service stations and retired military personnel will be established to inform them of the latest employment opportunities.

Given the current epidemic situation, full efforts will be made to promote online training and recruitment, it said.

The ministry will also help veterans who have lost their jobs to find new ones.

Timely aid for nation's civil aviation industry

China will increase infrastructure investment and cut corporate costs in the civil aviation industry as part of efforts to shore up the sector amid the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic, the Civil Aviation Administration said.

In a statement published on March 9, the administration said the civil aviation development fund will subsidize investment in fixed assets by companies in the sector.

Support will also be given to the resumption of major projects and the planning and construction of key infrastructure such as air traffic control and oil supply facilities, it said.

Airlines will be temporarily exempted from paying contributions to the development fund, while financial support will be given to international air transport and key flight missions for disease control.

The administration also vowed to slash administrative fees and improve government services to support companies in the sector.

Foreign investment in manufacturing promoted

China will revise the Catalog for the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industries to further encourage foreign investment, the National Development and Reform Commission said on March 11.

The revision will focus on promoting the high-quality development of manufacturing industry and tapping the potential of the country's central, western and northeastern regions for industrial relocation, the NDRC said in a notice.

During the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic, the NDRC also urged economic regulators at all levels to support the resumption of work at foreign-funded enterprises and projects.

It said local authorities should make regular visits to foreign-invested firms and projects to help solve their difficulties in resuming work.

Foreign firms and projects will enjoy the same access to supportive policies as domestic businesses, the notice said.

China will also simplify procedures for the establishment of projects, fully implement the negative list mechanism for foreign investment access and protect the legitimate rights of foreign-funded projects.

Community workers' problems a priority

The Ministry of Civil Affairs says local authorities must clarify work allowance standards for community workers on the front line of novel coronavirus control.

Chen Yueliang, director of the ministry's Community Governance Department, told a news conference on March 9 the move was part of efforts to solve problems faced by community workers who have remained at their posts since the outbreak began in Wuhan, Hubei province, late last year.

By March 8, a total of 53 community workers across the country had died on duty during epidemic prevention and control efforts, Chen said.

He said the ministry was also requiring local authorities to arrange for social organizations and workers to assess the mental health of community workers and provide psychological relief for them after the epidemic.

Timely and necessary rest for community workers should also be guaranteed by adjusting their schedules appropriately, he said.