Guideline on bike-sharing services

The Chinese government has issued guidelines regulating bike-sharing services.

Bike-share enterprises should enhance their online-to-offline services, make clear the modes and standards for payment, handle customer complaints, and buy accident insurance for users, according to the guidelines released by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and nine other government departments.

Users are required to register under their real names and sign service agreements.

Bike-share providers are banned from offering services to children under the age of 12.

Details:>> New guidelines to keep China’s bike sharing on track

Improve coverage of compulsory education for disabled children

China plans to further raise the enrollment rate of compulsory education for disabled children and teenagers.

By 2020, more than 95 percent of disabled children and teenagers will have access to compulsory education, according to a circular on improving education for the disabled from 2017 to 2020, co-issued by the Ministry of Education and six other departments.

Also, special schools for disabled children beyond compulsory education will be increased.

Details:>>China to improve education for disabled children

Direct trans-provincial reimbursement of medical costs

A transaction system that enables trans-provincial reimbursements for medical costs will be in operation nationwide before the end of September, said the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

As of July 27, 31 provincial-level regions and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, involving 98 percent of the country’s cities, have linked to the system.

Prioritize patent examination in some fields

China will prioritize the examination of patents in some fields, with regulations going into effect Aug 1, according to a circular issued by the State Intellectual Property Office.

Patent applications at the substantial review stage, and applications for utility models patents and design patents will enjoy the priority.

The prioritized review procedure will be further simplified, the circular stated.

Cancel roaming charges for mobile phone users

China’s three major telecom operators, China Telecom, China Unicom and China Mobile, announced on July 27 that they are removing roaming fees for mobile phone users starting on Sept 1, a month ahead of the deadline set by the State Council earlier this year.

It’s expected to benefit 80 million users.

Details:>> Roaming charges will be history by September

20 batches of medicines found to be substandard

China’s drug and food watchdog has recently announced that 20 batches of medicines are substandard.

Four enterprises, including CR Double-Crane Pharmaceuticals Co., were exposed as producing substandard medicines such as Lobeline Hydrochloride Injection, according to the China Food and Drug Administration.

Related enterprises were asked to suspend sales, and recall the substandard products.

Lower rail freight charges

China Railway has announced it is canceling or reducing some rail freight charges from Aug 1.

Eight items, including dust-cleaning fees, self-provided truck management fees, and fees for carrying back empty refrigerator trucks, will be canceled, with three more items being combined.

Also, charging standards for deferred use of trucks will be reduced.