China / China

Policy digest

By Hu Yongqi (China Daily) Updated: 2017-07-25 07:19

Zones to highlight Made in China 2025

An executive meeting of the State Council, presided over by Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday, decided to establish new national demonstration zones for "the Made in China 2025" strategy to accelerate the transformation of the manufacturing sector.

The move was also aimed to promote the development of a smart, green and service-oriented manufacturing. These demonstration zones will be in cities and city clusters in the east, central and west areas, and will focus on innovation, reform and opening up and break barriers facing the manufacturing sector.

These zones will also integrate with the Internet Plus Initiative and entrepreneurship while building cloud-platforms for advanced manufacturing. They will be granted favorable policies in tax, financing, land supply and talent-hunting. All foreign companies in these areas will be treated equally as domestic ones.

It was also decided that the government will take advantage of a variety of governmental and industry funds to boost innovation and entrepreneurship, and guide more private capital to support advanced manufacturing. In demonstration zones, the government will offer stock incentives in State-owned enterprises.

More assistance for disadvantaged groups

A State Council executive meeting, presided over by Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday, decided to build a temporary assistance system that accommodates disadvantaged groups.

The government was set to enhance coordination among different departments and further share information and simplify assistance approvals to ensure timely and accessible help for those in need.

Governmental funds will be increased in temporary assistance and local authorities are encouraged to pool assistance funds through various channels and allocate temporary assistance reserve funds to townships and urban areas.

Meanwhile, the government will procure assistance services from grassroots organizations while motivating private capital, charity organizations and enterprises to provide assistance for these groups.

Guideline sets out vision for AI drive

The State Council promulgated a guideline last week on developing artificial intelligence, aiming to become a global innovation center in this field by 2030.

The total output value of artificial intelligence industries is expected to exceed 1 trillion yuan ($147 billion), while a mature theoretical and technological system will also be in place.

The document aims to build an open and coordinated innovation system to develop technologies, products and the market of artificial intelligence, as it targets breakthroughs in fields such as big data intelligence and automated decision-making.

New industries using artificial intelligence technologies will be boosted, such as robots, smart vehicles and virtual reality. Traditional industries will also be integrated with these new technologies to develop smart manufacturing, agriculture, finance and logistics.

The guideline said artificial intelligence will also be applied in public services and social management to build a safer, more comfortable and convenient society. Smart education, healthcare and elderly nursing will be promoted as well.

According to the guideline, the government will invest in eligible projects to spur the development of artificial intelligence. Private investments are encouraged and a development fund will be set up.

The document also called for the training of more professionals.

New plan to improve emergency response

China plans to build a national management system to better handle emergencies and be able to effectively address risks threatening public safety, according to a notice released by the State Council on Wednesday.

In the 13th Five-Year Plan on Emergency Response System (2016-20), a system to prevent and handle emergencies will be built by 2020 to tackle various risks from natural disasters, industrial production, environmental protection, public health, public security and cyber-security.

The document aims to launch an evaluation of emergency risks, an alarm system and a database of major risks. The government will make infrastructure and amenities more resistant to emergencies, especially natural disasters. More shelters will be built for surrounding communities.

Police and armed forces will be trained to deal with emergencies. Professional rescue teams should be organized and trained to prepare for emergencies in fields such as chemical and nuclear power industries, the plan said.