Policy Digest

Guideline to make medical institutions more barrier-free

The National Health Commission has issued a guideline to advance the construction of more inclusive and barrier-free medical institutions, aiming to improve accessibility and healthcare services for people with disabilities.

The guideline encourages general hospitals, specialized hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and primary-level institutions to foster a disability-friendly service concept, enhance barrier-free environments, optimize procedures and provide convenient measures to improve patient experience.

Medical institutions are required to integrate care and respect for people with disabilities into their culture, safeguard their rights and dignity, and regulate staff behavior and language.

Infrastructure improvements include accessible signage, parking spaces, wheelchair-friendly passages, low counters and restrooms. Service terminals should feature voice and large-text functions, while manual services remain available.

Institutions are also encouraged to provide wheelchairs, stretchers and other aids, with clear guidance to accessible facilities, according to the document.

The guideline calls for multiple registration channels and support from family members, social workers or volunteers. Procedures for admission, insurance, discharge and testing should be simplified, while home-based diagnosis, rehabilitation and care services are encouraged.

Sound regulatory framework for satellite services set for 2030

China has issued a guideline to speed up the development of its satellite communication industry and strengthen next-generation information infrastructure, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

The document sets the goal of building a sound regulatory framework and business environment by 2030, with notable progress in infrastructure, supply capacity, technical standards and international cooperation. Large-scale applications such as direct satellite-to-mobile services are expected to expand, with the number of users expected to exceed 10 million by that time.

According to the guideline, the country will support the construction and commercial trials of low-Earth orbit satellite internet systems, promote direct satellite-to-device services, and encourage satellite internet of things applications to serve remote areas such as at sea and in mountainous areas.

The guideline highlights the role of satellite communication in emergency response, including floods, earthquakes and rescue missions, and calls for wider use in remote and rural areas to improve digital services.

China will also step up efforts in core technologies, integrate satellite communication with 5G, 6G and artificial intelligence, and participate in international standard-setting. Measures will be taken to enhance market regulation, optimize spectrum and orbital resource management, and strengthen network and data security.

'Quality month' campaign sets out to improve standards

China will launch the 2025 national "quality month" campaign in September, jointly organized by the country's top regulator and 25 other departments, to strengthen comprehensive quality management and advance the building of a nation driven by quality.

The campaign will guide enterprises to enhance innovation in quality technologies and promote cross-regional projects, according to the State Administration for Market Regulation.

Local governments will issue new initiatives and publish landmark achievements during the month, while a conference to be held in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, will highlight policies on quality development.

Efforts will focus on encouraging enterprises to adopt advanced quality management systems, apply digital tools, and integrate new technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence.

Brand building efforts will cover products, engineering and services, with measures to improve the manufacturing, agriculture, housing and cultural tourism sectors, alongside support for small and micro enterprises to boost certification and export competitiveness.

The campaign will also emphasize strict quality and safety supervision, stronger protection of consumer rights, and broader social participation, aiming to foster a culture where government, enterprises and society jointly promote quality excellence.