A total of 23 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities across China had begun to explore and implement the childcare subsidy system at various levels as of October last year, according to data from the National Health Commission.
Hohhot, capital of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in north China, will provide a one-time childcare subsidy of 10,000 yuan (about 1,382 U.S. dollars) for families that have their first child; for families having a second child, a childcare subsidy of 50,000 yuan (about 6,912 U.S. dollars) will be given, distributed at 10,000 yuan per year until the child reaches the age of five.
For families having a third child or more, a subsidy of 100,000 yuan (about 13,825 U.S. dollars) will be issued, similarly distributed at 10,000 yuan per year until the child reaches the age of 10.
During an interview with China Central Television, Tian Xuan, dean of the National Institute of Financial Research of Tsinghua University, noted that local authorities should roll out targeted childcare subsidies in line with local conditions.
"Many provinces are now exploring the implementation of the childcare subsidy system at various levels. Child-rearing is indeed a significant concern in the realm of people's livelihoods today. I believe that when introducing childcare subsidies, different regions should tailor their approaches according to local consumption habits, regional differences, and family structures. I think childcare insurance should also cover rural population. It is essential to enhance insurance standards and coverage, and reduce the disparity in childcare insurance between urban and rural areas," said Tian.
The policy came on the heels of the annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top political advisory body.
The former session saw the term "provide childcare subsidies" included in the annual Report on the Work of the Government for the first time.
Childcare subsidies explored to be set in line with local conditions: analyst
A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Tuesday urged Israel to immediately cease all military operations in the Gaza Strip, after Israel resumed large-scale attacks in the war-torn region.
Israel carried out deadly bombardments across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, killing more than 400 people, as it vowed to intensify attacks if Hamas did not release the hostages still held in the enclave. The surprise airstrikes began overnight amid indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding the next steps of a truce, which could include ending the war and releasing the remaining Israeli hostages. The strikes broke nearly two months of ceasefire and raised fears of fully reigniting the 17-month war.
Speaking at the United Nations (UN) Security Council's open briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations (U.N.), condemned Israel's resumption of attacks on the Gaza Strip.
"China finds it regrettable that the hard-earned ceasefire was shattered. China is gravely concerned over and strongly condemns Israel's resumption of attacks on Gaza. We strongly urge Israel to abandon the logic of supremacy of force. Military means are not the way to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli issue. The sharp contrast between the 15-month bloody conflict and the 42-day ceasefire has clearly shown that the abuse of force is not the right way to resolve the hostage issue. Instead, it may bring them more danger. China urges Israel to abandon its obsession with the use of force, immediately stop its military operations in Gaza, and stop collective punishment of Gaza civilians. We strongly demand a lasting ceasefire in Gaza," he said.
Fu pointed out that since a ceasefire agreement has been reached, it should be fully implemented with goodwill and seriousness, and the parties concerned should not seek to change or undermine the agreement midway.
China calls on the parties concerned to fully and continuously implement the ceasefire agreement, and expects the guarantors of the ceasefire agreement to uphold a fair and responsible attitude, promote consistent implementation of the three-phase agreement, and ensure a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, he said.
"We strongly oppose any weaponization and politicization of humanitarian aid. As of today, no humanitarian aid has entered Gaza for 17 consecutive days. Desalination plants are also unable to operate due to the loss of power supply, exacerbating the water shortage crisis. Using humanitarian aid as a bargaining chip violates international law, especially international humanitarian law. China condemns the move and urges Israel to fulfill its obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law and immediately restore full access to humanitarian aid in Gaza," said the envoy.
Fu stressed that implementation of the two-state solution is the only viable way to resolve the Palestinian issue.
Noting that China also supports the Gaza reconstruction plan initiated by Egypt and other Arab countries, he called on the international community to increase efforts to advance the political process of the two-state solution and provide necessary guarantees for it.
Fu also said that over the past period of time, people have witnessed a dangerous sign in the Middle East -- the international rule of law and international order are violated and undermined, the law of the jungle seems to reign, which is worrying and concerning.
He said that the Security Council should put a prompt end to such chaos, and China supports further actions by the Security Council to bring about a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, restore peace in the Middle East, and achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the Palestinian question.
Chinese envoy urges Israel to immediately cease military operations in Gaza
