China's National People's Congress has been deliberating on a draft law to strengthen the country's response to public health emergencies.
The Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress has deliberated on the proposed law that aims to boost the country's emergency preparedness, especially its ability to monitor and issue early warnings for public health crisis. "Public health emergencies, especially new infectious disease outbreaks, spread rapidly and cause significant harm, making immediate actions essential and early warnings difficult. To design an effective warning system, it's important to consider the unique aspects of such emergencies, focus on key areas, avoid redundancy, and prevent contradictions," said Li Wei, a member of the Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee of the National People's Congress.
China's legislative efforts to strengthen response to public health emergencies also include earlier updates to the Frontier Health and Quarantine Law and the Emergency Response Law. In line with the country's emphasis on coherent and scientific legislation, lawmakers are focusing on integrating and streamlining measures to better manage any future public health crisis.
"In responding to public health emergencies, the Emergency Response Law plays a supplementary role. So to facilitate its application at the grassroots level, we need further review and study to incorporate key principles and important systems from the Emergency Response Law into the Public Health Emergency Response Law. And it's also important to clarify its relationship with the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Law under amendment," said Zhang Yong, deputy head of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress.
Proposed revisions to the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Law would expand the pre-existing categories of disease, taking into account unexplained infectious diseases.
"I think the law is continuously being improved, especially as the revisions now incorporate the lessons learned from our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and reflected in institutional innovations, which is very good. But I' d also like to add that I hope it will further emphasize the equal importance of both Western and traditional Chinese medicine, as well as strengthen the focus on infectious disease education," said Zhang Boli, deputy of the 14th National People's Congress.
In addition to crisis management, the draft law aims to promote a science-based approach, balance public health measures with economic and social development while guaranteeing respect for citizen rights and public safety.
Discussions are expected to lead to new updates that officials say could eventually build a stronger, more resilient framework to better handle future public health challenges.
China mulls over draft law to boost public health emergency response
As the Qingming Festival approaches this Friday, various traditional folk activities have been held across China, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.
With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China's enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.
In Sijia Village, Huayin City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a unique swing festival is held to mark the occasion. Eighteen different types of traditional swings, such as the spinning wheel swing, the Bagua swing reminiscent of a rotating carousel, and the balance swing designed for two people, have attracted many visitors.
Historically, Sijia Village served as a military post guarding the strategic Tongguan pass, a former mountain pass and fortress located south of the confluence of the Wei and Yellow Rivers. The swing tradition in the village has its origins in military training exercises like climbing and river crossing. The local swing culture further developed as regional trade flourished, eventually evolving into the "swing festival" that continues today.
"It's very exciting and tests your skill, endurance, and most importantly, your arm strength. You need to maintain balance," said Qu Xiangyang, a visitor.
In Rudong County, Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, another traditional Qingming activity takes place - kite flying.
Flying kites as a way of making wishes is an age-old Qingming custom in this region. As a result, the Qingming Festival in Nantong is also known as the "Kite Festival."
The local Banyao whistling kite making skills is listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.
According to a folk culture expert, people traditionally write the names of diseases or misfortunes on paper, attach it to a kite, and release it into the sky. This practice is believed to drive away illness and disaster, while also serving as a way to make wishes.
In south China's Guangdong Province, a large tug-of-war competition is underway in Maoming City. Teams from different towns and streets are competing, attracting many locals to cheer on their teams.
Tug-of-war, which originated during the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), became part of Qingming customs during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once organized large-scale tug-of-war competitions for the festival.
"Tug-of-war became very popular in the Tang Dynasty, even emerging as the national sport. It originated in the Jingchu region and later spread across the country. In ancient Lingnan (Southern China), tug-of-war games were a common tradition. Through these events, people seek to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests," said Yao Guojun, vice dean of the College of Arts and Law, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology.
Traditional folk activities held for Qingming Festival
