Policy Digest

SOEs urged to take care of debt, ensure power

The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council has urged centrally administered State-owned enterprises to address their debt repayment issues with concrete actions to prevent salary disruptions for their migrant workers.

According to a briefing on the economic performance of central SOEs held on Oct 10, the commission said the companies should lead by example in settling payments owed to other businesses.

The meeting also emphasized the importance of ensuring a stable energy and power supply, especially in preparation for the upcoming winter season.

Central SOEs should increase coal production and supply, maintain equipment for power generation and ensure coal inventories are well managed to fully meet the demand for electricity and energy, it said.

The significance of workplace safety was also stressed at the meeting. It urged central SOEs to conduct thorough safety inspections, eliminate potential hazards and take proactive measures to prevent major accidents.

Tax refunds, cuts aid private enterprises

The latest data from the State Taxation Administration, China's top tax authority, showed that the country's newly implemented tax refunds, tax and fee cuts and deferrals totaled 1.15 trillion yuan ($158 billion) in the first eight months of this year.

The data, which was released on Oct 11, showed that private enterprises received nearly 75 percent of the total refunds, reductions and deferrals.

Since the beginning of this year, authorities have rolled out an array of favorable and targeted policies to reduce taxes and fees as part of the nation's efforts to provide strong support for the real economy and help enhance enterprises' ability to innovate.

According to the administration, to guarantee the effective implementation of the nation's preferential policies, efforts will be made to ensure that targeted enterprises benefit from follow-up policies.

Thousands arrested in public security drive

A total of 683 trafficked women and children were recovered during a general public security operation carried out by the Ministry of Public Security from June 25 to Sept 30, according to a news briefing on Oct 10.

As a result of the operation, 566,000 criminal cases were solved and 2.04 million public security cases were handled during the period.

In terms of safeguarding the lawful rights and interests of vulnerable groups, Zheng Xiang, an official with the ministry, said that 212 people suspected of being involved in the trafficking of women and children were arrested.

In addition, 16,000 were arrested on sexual assault allegations, while 1,657 were arrested for their alleged roles in medical insurance fraud, and 83 criminal gangs were dismantled, according to Zheng.