Renovate 15 million shantytown houses in 3 years

At the executive meeting presided over by Premier Li Keqiang on May 24, the State Council decided to renovate 15 million more houses in shantytown areas from 2018 to 2020.

According to the results of the meeting, more funds and land will be in place to support the undertaking, which will benefit about 100 million people.

According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the government invested 1.48 trillion yuan ($ 217 billion) in 2016 to build 6.06 million new homes for shantytown redevelopment, 60,000 more than last year’s target. In 2015, the number was 6.01 million.

Details:>> China to accelerate shantytown redevelopment

Cut more vocational qualifications

The State Council will cut more vocational qualifications and set up a national catalog for remaining ones, according to the executive meeting on May 24.

The meeting also decided to set up an admission system for some occupations related to public security, people’s health, people’s life and property safety.

Details:>> Further cuts urged in vocational qualifications

Cargo clearance to be simplified

China will streamline cargo clearance procedures to smooth foreign trade and improve the business environment.

The “single-window system,” a trade facilitation policy that enables faster and easier cargo clearance, will be adopted in all ports nationwide by the end of the year, according to a statement released on May 24 after the State Council executive meeting, presided over by Premier Li.

An information-sharing platform also will be created to reduce the documents required for traders and help realize paperless customs declaration, examination and tax payment.

Details:>> China to simplify cargo clearance

Standardize openness in government affairs

China will start a pilot program on standardizing and regulating the openness of government affairs at grassroots authorities, according to a circular released by the State Council on May 22.

It is expected that, by the end of 2018, a set of mature standards will be established for the whole country.

The pilot program will be launched in 100 county-level governments of 15 provincial regions, including Beijing municipality, Anhui and Shaanxi provinces, regarding issues such as urban and rural planning, major construction projects, fiscal budget, taxing management, safe production and environmental protection.

The authorities are asked to list and classify all openness items in a scientific and clear way, and clarify what details are to be open.

Meanwhile, standards are also urged in releasing government affairs. According to the circular, open government affairs include at least names, content, responsible departments, time limits and openness methods.

Details:>> China to standardize openness in government affairs

Promote innovation among counties

China will promote innovation-driven development and startups in county-level regions, according to a document issued by the State Council on May 24.

In the document, the State Council urged counties to upgrade traditional manufacturing industries and develop cutting-edge technologies, like internet information and smart manufacturing.

Agricultural zones are asked to develop high-tech agriculture techniques while integrating traditional agriculture with tourism, education, healthcare and logistics.

Supporting county-based high-tech companies, promoting cooperation between companies and academic institutions and asking financial institutions for support should also be a priority.

Details:>> China to promote innovation development among counties

Due diligence on nonresidential financial accounts

The government has decided to conduct due diligence procedures on nonresidential finance accounts, to crack down on cross-border tax evasion, according to a circular issued by six departments, including the State Administration of Taxation and Ministry of Finance.

China has promised to implement the “Common Reporting Standard (CRS)” for automatic exchange of financial account information in tax matters. The first exchange of financial information with foreign economies will be conducted in September 2018.

Special support to clean heating

The government has decided to issue special support to clean heating in North China, using the central government budget, according to a circular issued by four departments, including the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Environmental Protection.

Special funds will be given to Beijing, Tianjin and cities in Hebei province and surrounding areas to support the replacement of coarse coal with clean heating, and reconstruct buildings to save energy.

Insurance accountability standard for chemical industry

The China Insurance Regulatory Commission has issued a guideline for risk evaluation of insurance accountability in the chemical industry recently.

It has conducted a quantitative analysis of chemical enterprises’ environment risks on various fields, including policy, operation, management, technique and logistics, which sets a standard for insurance companies to evaluate risks before underwriting insurance for chemical materials or manufacturing companies.

Stricter evaluation on students’ military training

The Ministry of Education asked colleges and high schools to evaluate students’ military training in a stricter way, according to a circular issued on May 24.

It decided to list military training evaluation in students’ comprehensive quality assessment.