This week, the State Council made a series of decisions to address issues such as employment, housing, and unemployment insurance to improve people’s lives.

Implementation of government work report

To implement the government work report, 41 tasks were assigned to major departments under the State Council.

The National Development and Reform Commission will take the lead on accelerating the development of modern services and reduce overcapacity.

The Ministry of Environment Protection will be responsible for management of air and water pollution.

The Ministry of Finance and State Administration of Taxation will oversee the 2.18 trillion yuan ($316 billion) financial deficit, raising basic pension payments and improving agricultural insurance and financial services.

State Council announces ninth batch of national parks

The State Council announced the ninth batch of national parks on March 29, covering 19 scenic spots in 12 provincial regions.

It urged authorities to protect and manage the parks’ natural resources for sustainable development.

Detail: 9th batch of national parks announced

Plan to promote garbage classification

The State Council issued a plan to promote garbage classification on March 30, setting a goal for the recycling rate in cities where household garbage is sorted to reach 35 percent by 2020.

The first batch of cities that are required to sort garbage by 2020 include Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing and all capitals of provincial regions.

They need to release their own regulations on issues such as standards to categorize garbage, and methods to collect, transport and dispose of garbage, by the end of this year. Toxic, kitchen and recyclable garbage are three categories that the document emphasized.

Detail: China to promote garbage classification

Plan to revitalize traditional crafts

The State Council issued a circular to revitalize and improve diversity, craftsmanship, and quality of traditional crafts.

By 2020, the nation should see a substantial improvement in inheritance and recreating traditional crafts with better industry management and market competitiveness.

Detail: State Council issues plan to revitalize traditional crafts

Regulation of poverty relief fund

Six departments including Ministry of Finance and the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development released a regulation to manage the poverty relief fund set up by the central government.

The regulation stipulates expenditure amounts on poverty alleviation and development, poverty relief through offering jobs to build infrastructure, ethnic groups development, and relief work in State-owned farms and forestry lands.

Worker resettlement in overcapacity reduction

Five departments including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the National Development and Reform Commission issued a circular regarding worker resettlement in overcapacity reduction of steel and coal sectors this year.

According to the plan, efforts will be made to resettle workers and ensure their jobs and livelihoods amid overcapacity reduction.

Focus on employment in 2017

Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and Ministry of Finance released a circular to implement current policies on employment and entrepreneurship.

Worker resettlement amid overcapacity reduction of steel and coal sectors will be among the top priorities.

Regulation on urban public transportation

The Ministry of Transport released a regulation to manage passenger transport on urban public buses.

Based on principles of safety, efficiency, and environmental protection, the regulation sets up a monitoring system of operation and service, which stipulates that transport companies should provide continuous services in accordance with agreements.