Govt policy moves from past week

Poverty funding in focus

The management of poverty relief programs will be enhanced to boost the efficiency of the use of funds, according to guideline jointly released by three central government departments.

The guideline, released by the Ministry of Finance, the National Development and Reform Commission and the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, stipulates that financial departments at city and county levels should carry out performance management reviews of funds related to poverty relief programs regarding making, implementing and the final settling of budgets.

Performance management targets will also serve as an important reference for budget making, and will include specific indexes, such as numbers, quality, time, costs, economic, social and ecological benefits. County-and city-level financial departments will review the performance management targets for poverty relief programs, such as their necessity, feasibility of programs and compatibility with funds. Programs that fail the review will not have their budgets approved.

The guideline, which was also approved by the State Council, took effect in May.

Science, research improved

China will strive to promote the credibility and integrity of science and research, according to a guideline released on May 31. The guideline, jointly released by the General Office of Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of State Council, is aimed to boost the environment for innovation in science and technology.

According to the guideline, various institutions that are devoted to R&D activities or scientific and technological management services, should carry the main responsibility for promoting credibility and integrity.

The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences will take a leading responsibility in coordinating and managing the work of scientific integrity in the fields of science and social sciences respectively.

Individuals who are devoted to R&D activities or scientific and technological management services must remain self-disciplined. Researchers must obey moral principles of science and norms for research activities.

Plagiarizing the works of others and forging or manipulating research data is strictly forbidden. Purchasing research papers or writing papers on behalf of others will also be punished, as well as using deception to apply for programs in scientific and technological plans, research funds, awards and honors. A system of credibility commitment will be established for the publishing of research papers, as well as a traceability mechanism for scientific research.

Depending on the severity of the offense, punishment can range from canceling a project’s funding to revoking the offender’s titles and permanently banning them from promotion or other research positions.

Steps to aid foreign investors

China will roll out more foreign investor-friendly measures to further boost opening-up and economic upgrading, according to a decision at a State Council executive meeting on Wednesday.

The meeting, chaired by Premier Li Keqiang, decided that market access will be widened. Commitments already made to cancel or ease the restrictions on foreign investment in such manufacturing sectors as automobiles, shipping vessels, and aircraft will be promptly implemented.

The mechanism regarding qualified overseas investors will be expanded to encourage them to participate in the futures trading of crude oil and iron ore and give more support to foreign-invested financial institutions in underwriting local government bonds. Investment facilitation will be enhanced based on international standards. The negative list on the market access of foreign investors will be revised and released before July 1.

Children to get more help

China will offer more help to children age 6 or younger who suffer from disabilities, the State Council decided at an executive meeting on May 30.

Starting from Oct 1, assistance, including surgery, aid equipment and rehabilitation training, will be offered to those aged 6 or younger who suffer from visual, hearing, speech, physical, or mental impairments or autism, according to a decision at the meeting. Additional aid will go to those from economically disadvantaged families. By 2020, the system will cover all such children, and funds will be provided by local governments above the county level, with subsidies from the central government.