New regulations in June, affecting you and me.

BEIJING, May 31 (Xinhua) — 　Headline: June’s New Regulations Affect Us All

  Xinhua News Agency reporter Qi Qi

  From preschool education and facial-recognition technology to express‑delivery packaging, a host of new regulations that affect us all will take effect starting in June. Let’s take a look: which one are you most concerned about?

  The Preschool Education Law explicitly calls for the vigorous development of inclusive preschool education.

  The Preschool Education Law of the People’s Republic of China will come into effect on June 1. The law stipulates that the development of preschool education shall be led by the government, with government-run institutions playing the dominant role, and that inclusive preschool education shall be vigorously promoted. Preschool education must adhere to the principle of acting in the best interests of young children and afford them special, priority protection. Kindergartens are required to place the safety of young children first and bear responsibility for ensuring their personal safety during their time at the institution.

  “Facial recognition” must not be used as the sole authentication method.

  The Measures for the Administration of the Security of Facial Recognition Technology Applications will take effect on June 1. The measures stipulate that when processing facial information using facial recognition technology, entities must have a specific purpose and demonstrate sufficient necessity, adopt methods that minimize any impact on individuals’ rights and interests, and implement stringent protective measures. Where alternative non‑facial recognition technologies are available to achieve the same purpose or meet equivalent business requirements, facial recognition may not be used as the sole authentication method.

  Using “green” packaging to slim down express delivery

  The State Council’s Decision on Amending the Interim Regulations on Express Delivery will take effect on June 1. The decision stipulates that express delivery packaging must meet the requirements of postal and courier operations, conserve resources, avoid excessive packaging, and prevent environmental pollution. Enterprises engaged in express delivery services shall, while ensuring the safety of parcels, optimize packaging methods and design packaging structures to reduce the use of packaging materials.

  Promote the sustained and healthy development of the catering industry.

  The newly revised Measures for the Promotion and Administration of the Catering Industry will take effect on June 15. The measures expand provisions to promote the catering sector and further specify requirements under the Law Against Food Waste. They stipulate that catering delivery platforms and small- and medium-sized food service operators should be encouraged and supported to strengthen resource sharing and cooperation, thereby providing services to these smaller enterprises. Food service operators are prohibited from inducing or misleading consumers into ordering excessive amounts of food in any manner.

  Resolving the issue of overdue payments and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of small and medium-sized enterprises.

  The newly revised Regulations on Ensuring Payment to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises will take effect on June 1. The regulations stipulate that large enterprises must make payment within 60 days from the date of delivery of goods, works, or services. They also prohibit compelling SMEs to accept non-cash payment methods such as commercial bills of exchange or electronic receivables certificates, and forbid using these non-cash instruments to indirectly extend payment terms.

  Reduce the hospitalization deposit amount

  The “Notice on Standardizing the Management of Deposit Payments in Public Medical Institutions,” jointly issued by the National Health Commission and five other departments, mandates that public medical institutions reduce the amount of inpatient deposit payments effective June 30. The notice requires these institutions to determine appropriate deposit amounts by referencing the average per‑hospitalization costs and out-of-pocket expenses for patients with the same diagnosis over the preceding three years. For patients covered by basic medical insurance, the inpatient deposit shall be capped at the average level of out-of-pocket expenses for the same diagnosis and benefit category.

[Editor-in-charge: Zhao Wenhan]

Source: Xinhua Net