CiCM 29th December 2023

NEWS IN CHINA

PBOC credit centre Issues warning on fraudulent credit repair schemes: The People's Bank of China (PBOC) Credit Center issued a stern warning against fraudulent activities related to credit repair. The Credit Center uncovered a scheme where fraudsters operating under the guise of "eliminating online loan inquiry records" deceived the public into submitting individual credit objections through an Internet personal credit information service platform. The PBOC Credit Center clarified that its Internet platform offers a legitimate personal objection service, which is provided free of charge to individuals and other relevant parties. The center emphasized that any entity claiming to offer "credit repair" services and profiting from it is engaged in fraudulent activities. The public was cautioned that not only does engaging with such services fail to eliminate negative credit records, but it also exposes individuals to risks such as information leakage, deception, and financial losses. Individuals who believe there are errors or omissions in their credit reports were encouraged to use the official Internet platform to file objections. The Credit Center assured that legitimate objections would be forwarded to the relevant business organizations for verification. Applicants can expect a response within 20 days from the date of filing an objection.

China's top legislature firm stance on collective punishment: The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislative body, declared on Tuesday that practices like collective punishment are contrary to the principles and spirit of the Constitution. This decision follows the committee's review of local notices received earlier this year, in which the family members of certain criminals were subjected to restrictions in education, employment, and social insurance. Residents raised concerns about these measures, characterizing them as collective punishments and calling for their cessation. A report revealed that the NPC Standing Committee received 2,827 suggestions this year for the review of potentially problematic documents from residents and organizations. Simultaneously, 1,319 normative documents were submitted by government departments and judicial authorities for registration. Earlier, a 22-article draft decision was also submitted to the committee for modifying the system of registering and reviewing normative documents. The commission also targeted inconsistencies with higher-level laws in local regulations related to livelihood and the environment, emphasizing the protection of people's legitimate rights and the robust fight against pollution.

Executive meeting of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment held: During the meeting, the technical guideline s for the preparation of air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions were deliberated and adopted. The meeting emphasized the significance of employing air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions inventory to identify key areas, industries, and links for cooperative control. To implement the integration list, pilot projects are set to be initiated in key regions such as Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, and Fenwei Plain. The objective is to establish a standardized and commercial integration list, regularly updating it as necessary. Following the issuance and implementation of the technical guidelines, the meeting stressed the need for organized training and called for active cooperation and data sharing among relevant departments. Highlighting the petroleum refining, petrochemical, and synthetic resin industries as key sectors for volatile organic matter (VOCs) emissions, the meeting discussed the revision of the "Pollutant Emission Standard of Petrochemical Industry" and "Pollutant Emission Standard of Synthetic Resin Industry." These revisions align with the precision pollution control policy, emphasizing the importance of interpreting and disseminating the revised standards. The meeting urged regions to prepare for the implementation of relevant industry standards, conduct operational training for law enforcement personnel, and accelerate the revision of various emission standards to effectively reduce pollutant emissions.

Report on workplace safety was submitted to NPC: The inspection report, submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, underscored the need to improve safety awareness and emergency response capabilities in implementing the Safety Production Law. Identified issues encompassed inadequate safety knowledge among the public and key groups like leaders and workers, signaling a significant gap in workplace safety awareness. Highlighted sectors include mining, chemicals, transportation, and gas, with specific attention on small enterprises exhibiting lower safety management levels, citing incomplete systems, insufficiently trained staff, and inadequate labor protection. Proposed solutions involved guiding industrial upgrades, promoting technological advancements for safe production, and advocating for the adoption of information technology, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises. To mitigate risks, the report recommended enhancing remote monitoring in high-risk industries, bolstering grassroots emergency rescue teams with trained professionals and emphasizing the role of emergency departments in risk prevention and control. The report emphasized comprehensive defense systems, early risk detection, and coordination among emergency departments to ensure timely handling of hazards.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER IN CHINA

Young Chinese woman sued her parents to sell grandmother’s house: In Shanghai, a 25-year-old woman, Tian, sued her parents to hasten the sale of her grandmother's apartment, seeking funds for studying abroad. The property, initially received by the grandmother from the government, was co-owned by Tian's parents and herself. Tian wished to claim one-third of the property's value immediately, disagreeing with the agreed-upon sale post her grandmother's passing. Her parents argued they had supported Tian financially and assisted in her pursuit of schools abroad. However, Tian deemed their support unsatisfactory. Despite her insistence, the Shanghai higher people’s court dismissed her case, emphasizing the importance of honoring parental obligations in Chinese tradition. Netizens criticized Tian's approach as self-centered, suggesting she pursue her aspirations independently rather than pushing for her parents' property sale. The incident reflects a common theme in Chinese courts where familial disputes over real estate arise, akin to a previous case where a daughter sold a residence intended for her father's use to cover medical expenses. Amid fluctuations in outbound Chinese students due to the pandemic, western countries continues attracting students, echoing Tian's desire to study abroad. The case highlights the clash between personal aspirations and traditional values regarding familial responsibility.

INDIA WATCH

Workplace safety measures in India have seen improvements but face ongoing challenges. The country has various laws and regulations addressing safety, health, and welfare of workers, notably the Factories Act, 1948, focusing on factory safety. The Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code, 2020, aimed to amalgamate and modernize labor laws, emphasizing worker safety and welfare. The government has initiated multiple programs aimed at increasing awareness of safety and health concerns while advocating adherence to safety laws. Notably, entities like the National Safety Council of India offer training and certification initiatives tailored for safety professionals. Similarly, the Directorate General of Mines Safety actively conducts inspections and audits within mines to guarantee adherence to safety regulations. These initiatives stand as proactive measures to enhance safety consciousness and enforce compliance across relevant industries. However, implementation gaps persist due to inadequate enforcement, resource constraints, and limited awareness among workers. India grapples with a high number of workplace accidents, particularly in industries like construction, mining, and manufacturing. In contrast, China has stringent safety laws and regulations, emphasizing prevention, training, and emergency response. The country focuses on workplace safety across industries, notably in hazardous sectors like mining and chemicals. China's laws, including the Work Safety Law, stipulate strict safety standards, inspections, and penalties for non-compliance. However, the recent report submitted to NPC exposes gaps in these measures and provides solutions to improve workplace safety mechanism. India, like China, also needs to adopt similar measures such as extensive training programs, regular drills, and advanced technology adoption in high-risk industries. Further, enhanced government oversight and stringent enforcement mechanisms needs to be put in place in both countries to relatively lower workplace accident rates as both countries have huge labour force. In addition, focus should also be put on “occupational health” which implies both physical and mental health of workers.