Ministries launch third round of digitalization for SMEs

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology have launched the third round of a national pilot project to digitalize small and medium-sized companies.

In a statement issued earlier this month, the ministries said they will select some 34 cities to take part in this round.

Key industries for the pilot project will include the manufacturing of cars, and general and special equipment. Cities selected for the project should advance the digitalization of SMEs specialized in subsectors within these industries.

Finance departments and authorities overseeing SMEs at the provincial level should focus on the needs of the companies, and take targeted measures to help them conduct in-depth digitalization of research, development and production.

Local authorities are required to select and nurture service providers that can help develop small-sized, affordable and targeted digitalization solutions within a relatively short time for SMEs.

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology started the pilot project in June 2023. Since then, 66 cities and districts have been selected to join the project.

5G networks planned to cover 90% of villages by year's end

China is working to expand its 5G network coverage to more than 90 percent of its villages by the end of this year, according to a document released by the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission and three other departments.

The document, which contains 26 key tasks for this year to advance the digitalization of rural areas, requires relevant authorities to promote the construction of 5G networks and gigabit optical networks in rural areas.

It calls for faster digital transformation of infrastructure in rural areas, such as highways, irrigation projects and power grids, as well as the application of digital technologies to ensure food safety and prevent the return of poverty in rural areas.

The document urges relevant authorities to promote the development and use of smart agricultural technologies and equipment, and improve the level of digitalization of the whole agricultural chain.

Tougher penalties sought for crimes against elderly people

The Ministry of Civil Affairs, together with six other departments, has issued a guideline asking local civil affairs, judicial, law enforcement and elderly affairs authorities to strengthen the protection of older people's lawful rights.

Local courts, procuratorates and police have been asked to step up efforts to handle illegal and criminal cases involving elderly people, and punish according to law people who steal, rob or blackmail the elderly, as well as those who defraud them in the name of "elderly care".

Those who commit crimes of abusing or abandoning older people should be punished according to law, the guideline said, adding that the authorities should crack down on intentional injury and other crimes that form serious violations of personal rights.

The authorities should also focus on areas, including elderly consumption, financial planning, health preservation and wellness, and strengthen efforts to prevent risks in these areas.

The guideline was issued to implement the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of the Elderly and promote an elderly people-friendly society, according to a statement published on the website of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

As the country's population ages, disputes involving the elderly and cases of infringement on older people's rights happen from time to time, the statement said.