Tag Archives: China

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said Wednesday that the coming five years will see several important junctures and signposts. “As I look ahead to the next five years, I see several important junct… read more

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), presented the Party’s new central leadership when meeting the press Wednesday at the Great Hall of the People. “I was re-elected general secretary of the CPC… read more

Xi Jinping was elected general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee for the second term at the first plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee on Wednesday. Members of the newly elected Standing Committee of the Po… read more

The Yangtze River’s ecological environment is getting better — and to prove it 12 fish species have reappeared in the river’s mouth.

They include the spotted maigre and the Chinese long-snout catfish.

From 2012, more than 30 monitoring spots were set up in the Chinese Sturgeon Nature Conservation Area at Chongming Island near the estuary of Yangtze River, but the 12 species were not observed until the past year.

Six species such as the spotted maigre have been frequently found in the conservation area in the past year, and the other six species, such as the long-snout catfish are also seen in the area, though not as frequently.

Yangtze River’s estuary, the passage for fish to travel between the river water and East China Sea, plays a key role in the fishery development along the huge river.

This is why the conservation area was set up at Chongming Island.

In 2012, the conservation area’s management office set up an artificial fish shelter in the reservation area. The shelter comprises 2.5-meter-long bamboo poles with holes. The bamboos are set in the riverbed and the holes allow sand to flow in to stabilize the bamboos in the water.

Moss grows on the poles, providing a source of food of fish, and loose sand at the bottom can attract creatures that enjoy swimming in sand. The poles also serve as a shelter for young fish and shrimps when under attack from aggressive fish.

Over the past five years, more than 330,000 bamboo poles have been set up in the river, and the shelter now covers an area of 13,000 square kilometers.

Officials said the shelter has made a significant contribution to improve the eco-diversity of the Yangtze River.

The concept of a “Medical Mall” has created a new stir in China. Medical industry observers are suggesting the one-stop hospital will complement China’s existing healthcare system, with patient’s safety remaining the bottom line, reports jiemian.com.

Located in a shopping center in Hangzhou, the mall is a mix of specialist outpatient services, making it possible for patients to access one-stop medical services all in one place.

A total of 13 clinics have reportedly signed up for the mall, with 10 starting trial operations.

These medical outlets are able to share space, equipment, operating theaters and other resources, adopting the sharing economy concept.

First started in the U.S. in the 1980s, the concept of medical malls is not new. However, the Hangzhou project has drawn nationwide attention since gaining government approvals.

Some are applauding the idea, saying it will provide easier access to more cost-effective medical services, as well as help relieve China’s overburdened public health care system.

However, others question whether the commercial institutions will be able to balance profits with the public interest.

There are also concerns being raised about the level of medical treatment, regulations and insurance.

Yu Xindong, an official with the Zhejiang Provincial Health and Family Planning Commission, while supporting the “Medical Mall” model, says patient’s safety remains the essential red line.

“The ‘medical mall’ model helps non-governmental sectors to operate medical facilities with lower costs. Authorities need to give the concept room to grow, but also keep medical safety a bottom line,” said Yu.

China has been encouraging private-sector involvement in the health care industry. In May, the State Council issued a document, vowing to build a “diversified” health care system by offering private capital easier access to the industry.

Private hospitals now account for more than 57 percent of all hospitals in China.