Policy Digest

Ministry looks to curb effects of La Nina

The General Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has issued a plan to tackle La Nina and reduce crop loss caused by the weather phenomenon, which the ministry said will increase the risks of extreme weather events in China this winter and spring.

The ministry revealed the plan in an online news release on Dec 15, saying that local authorities have been urged to strengthen monitoring and early warning efforts and take preventive measures against possible weather-related disasters.

The plan laid out major steps for authorities to take in northern China, where winter wheat is growing, to guard against both frost damage to wheat crops in winter and drought in spring.

The plan requires Northeast China authorities to be prepared for possible flooding and drought in the spring, and has tasked officials in southern parts of the country with tackling the potential threat of long-term drought by taking steps like exploring new water sources and building agricultural facilities to collect rainwater.

Program launched to help homeless

The General Office of the Ministry of Civil Affairs has launched an annual program to support homeless people and help them get through the winter, tasking civil affairs authorities at the provincial level with ensuring their basic well-being.

Local civil affairs officials should strengthen collaboration with public security and urban management authorities to patrol streets, the notice said, tasking them with carrying out additional patrols at night and during holidays, also when temperatures drop and when it snows or rains.

Authorities should attempt to persuade homeless minors and disabled people that they find on the streets to take shelter at relief centers, and help those who are seriously ill seek treatment at hospitals.

Authorities should provide homeless individuals who don't want to go to relief centers with food, clothing and COVID-19 prevention supplies, and inform them of ways to seek help, the notice said, adding that centers should ensure their hotlines are open 24 hours a day.

In addition, they should provide shelter for people in emergency situations, such as victims of domestic violence, the unemployed and victims of robbery, and work with other departments to provide psychological counseling, legal aid and employment consultation, according to the notice.

Banks should strive to keep branches open

Banks and insurance companies should try their best to continue providing basic financial services by keeping as many branches open as possible while also protecting the health of their employees and clients, China's banking and insurance watchdog said as the country optimizes its COVID-19 prevention measures.

Branches outside of high-risk zones should not close without any reason nor limit the number of employees working, according to a notice issued by the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission.

They should take the temperatures of people entering, ensure they are wearing masks and disinfect the premises, the notice said, asking them to provide "fast track" services for vulnerable clients, such as the elderly, to reduce their wait time and lower their chances of contracting COVID-19.

Banks should also encourage clients to perform transactions online and promote employees' awareness of COVID-19 prevention measures, the notice said.