Round-the-clock dike patrols to guarantee safety

A number of ministry-level departments, including those responsible for flood control and drought relief, housing and urban-rural development, and human resources and social security, have responded recently to issues of public concern.

Patrols of dikes and sluices stepped up amid floods

China will strengthen the patrolling of dikes and sluices around the Yangtze River, Huai River and Taihu Lake to ensure safety during flood prevention work.

The Office of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters called for the creation of detailed patrol plans that include round-the-clock patrols of the main dikes and sluices on rivers and lakes.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Emergency Management said it will continue to dispatch rescue teams and allocate supplies to flood-hit regions for disaster relief.

Earlier, the ministries of emergency management and finance earmarked 30 million yuan ($4.3 million) for rescue efforts in hard-hit Hubei province.

Central bank, ministries urge lower company costs

The People's Bank of China and three ministries, including the National Development and Reform Commission, have issued a plan detailing major tasks to lower companies' costs this year, and have called for a number of other ministries and local authorities to coordinate their efforts to accomplish the tasks.

According to a notice released on July 28, policies that have reduced value-added tax for small businesses and those that waive VAT for services such as public transportation, hotel and tourism will be extended to the end of this year.

The authorities should also carefully implement policies issued this year, including those that reduce or waive civil aviation development fund and port construction fees.

The notice also set a goal of reducing the cost of broadband access for enterprises by an average of 15 percent.

The authorities have been told to strengthen financial support for the real economy and continue to lower institutional costs through efforts such as relaxing market entry restrictions and streamlining administrative procedures.

Other costs for companies that need to be lowered include rents, electricity charges and logistics expenses, according to the notice.