A number of central government departments, including those responsible for reform and development, healthcare, natural resources and banking have responded recently to matters of public concern.

Negative list for market access cut to 123 entities

The negative list for market access has been further shortened, with the number of sectors and industries on the list decreasing from 131 last year to 123.

According to the 2020 negative list jointly issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce, 14 regulations were also removed from the list, including qualification recognition for organizations seeking carbon emission assessment and registration licenses for customs declaration enterprises.

The negative list for market access outlines sectors, fields and businesses that are off-limits for investors. Industries, fields and businesses that are not on the list are open for investment to all market players.

Authorities revise the negative list for market access on an annual basis. Items on the 2020 list shortened from 131 last year and 151 in 2018.

Medical workers urged to pick centers with elder care

Medical workers have been encouraged to practice in institutions that provide integrated medical and elderly services to provide safe and high-quality medical care for the country's older adults, according to a notice published on Dec 14.

The notice, jointly issued by the National Health Commission and the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, called for efforts to improve the quality of services in these institutions.

The notice stressed measures to provide further training and education for both administrative and medical staff working in the institutions to improve their capabilities.

By the end of 2022, a system outlining the standards and assessments of services in institutions that provide integrated medical and elderly services should be basically established, with these institutions' service capability and quality greatly improved, it said.

It also required efforts to advance information construction in these institutions so that the elderly can receive services such as remote diagnosis and treatment guidance and online subsequent visits.

China to finish registering homes for relocated people

China will complete the registration of real estate ownership for resettlement houses involved in the country's poverty alleviation relocation programs in an effort to expand poverty relief achievement, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

To ensure that the rights and interests of relocated people are safeguarded, Zhuang Shaoqin, the vice-minister, said at a news conference on Dec 15 that local authorities are required to speed up the processing of relevant procedures and complete the registration work before the end of next June.

Since 2015, more than 9.6 million rural residents living in inhospitable poor areas have been relocated to around 35,000 newly built residential communities as a result of the country's targeted efforts to eradicate poverty.

No one can refuse to take renminbi cash, bank says

The People's Bank of China said in a notice published on Dec 15 that no entity or individual can refuse to accept renminbi cash, which is the most basic means of payment in China, and those who won't accept it will be punished.

According to the PBOC, with the wide application of digital services, some merchants and institutions in China are reluctant to accept cash due to a consumer's cost control efforts or technological inexperience, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.

The PBOC said that it has taken a number of measures to standardize the management of cash, improve the efficiency of its circulation and ensure the rational, safe and smooth use of it by the public.

The innovation of consumption and payment methods should be conducive to protecting people's livelihood and enhancing the public's sense of happiness, it said, noting that non-bank payment institutions must not promote the cashless concept or discriminate against cash payments.

The central bank will investigate and punish firms or individuals that refuse to accept cash or adopt discriminatory measures against such payments, it added.