A number of ministry-level departments, including those responsible for transport, emergency management, human resources, and health, have responded recently to issues of public concern.

Use of smart trains and ships to be promoted

China will promote new infrastructure construction in the transport sector to advance its transformation to digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence, according to a guideline issued by the Ministry of Transport on Aug 6.

The country aims to make remarkable achievements in transport infrastructure by 2035, with advanced information technology playing a key role, it said.

Data centers and network security systems will be established for the transport sector, and the use of smart trains, self-driving vehicles and smart ships will gradually be promoted.

Vowing to expand the application of new energy and new materials, the guideline also called for the building of smart roads, intelligent railways, and smart ports and airports.

By using blockchain technology, China will intensify oversight of electronic documents, online businesses and hazardous substances, the guideline said.

Call for inspections of chemical storage sites

Immediate inspections of China's hazardous chemical storage sites are needed in the wake of last week's explosion in Beirut, according to a video conference on production safety held on Aug 5.

The meeting was jointly held by the Office of the Work Safety Commission of the State Council and the Ministry of Emergency Management.

A news release published on the ministry's website said the meeting emphasized that the inspections should focus on ports, piers, logistics warehouses and chemical industrial parks.

It also required a system to register information concerning the sale, purchasing license approval and flow of civil-use explosives.

The meeting noted that lessons from each accident were learned with lives and blood, but recommended rectification measures raised in the investigation reports of some major accidents had often been ignored.

The ministry said it had already carried out special checks on more than 7,600 hazardous chemical companies and 22,000 major hazard sources.

Free vocational training for Yangtze fishermen

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has called for tailored vocational training for fishermen affected by a 10-year fishing ban in the Yangtze River Basin that came into force this year.

At least one vocational training course will be offered, free of charge, to fishermen who request it, along with training subsidies for the duration of the course, according to a notice issued by the ministry on Aug 4.

Training in aquaculture and aquatic products processing will be provided for older fishermen whose skillsets are limited. They may also obtain training in areas such as household management, elderly care, and security guard work, the notice said.

Middle-aged and young fishermen, meanwhile, will receive training in online retailing, auto repair and electrical work, it said.

The ministry also advised that full play be given to new occupations such as livestreaming salesperson and e-commerce and express delivery.

Smoking ban in medical institutions by 2022

China aims to ban smoking in all medical institutions by 2022, according to a notice published on Aug 3.

The notice, jointly issued by the National Health Commission and the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said the establishment of smoke-free medical institutions is important for guiding the public to live in a healthy way.

Institutions that have already begun establishing smoke-free facilities should continue with their efforts, and those that have yet to begin should start as soon as possible, it said.

According to the notice, medical institutions at all levels will be encouraged to ask patients about their smoking history during their first visit, and primary-level medical institutions should be able to provide consulting services on quitting smoking.

Regular reviews will also be made to assess the establishment of smoke-free environments in medical institutions, it said.