Policy Digest

Platforms to provide data on livestreamers

Livestreaming platforms are now required to provide information about their livestreamers' identities, bank accounts and income to central authorities biannually, according to a guideline published on March 30.

Jointly issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the State Taxation Administration and the State Administration for Market Regulation, the guideline aims to regulate the profit-seeking behavior of online livestreamers to promote the healthy development of the industry.

Platforms and livestreamers should not lure consumers into purchasing products through rumor mongering or false advertising.

Under the new rules, platforms are also required to deduct income tax from the revenues of their livestreamers.

The guideline requires tax authorities to help livestreamers pay income tax, as well as take advantage of tax preferences they are entitled to under the law.

Livestreamers engaging in illegal behavior must be investigated and punished according to the law, and their cases may be publicly disclosed, particularly if they are the subject of complaints.

Departments look to give TCM a boost

The National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and nine other departments have jointly issued an action plan for improving the provision of TCM services at the grassroots level.

Published on March 30, the plan said that by 2025, all of the country's community-based health service centers and health clinics in towns and villages should be equipped with specialists that are able to provide TCM services.

All counties nationwide should also establish TCM institutions by 2025.

The document sets out key tasks in seven areas to improve the TCM network at the grassroots level, including the establishment of a center in every county engaged in the promotion of feasible TCM techniques.

The action plan follows the central government's recent release of a new five-year plan to further the development of TCM.

Under the plan released by the General Office of the State Council, the capacity of TCM health services will be significantly enhanced by 2025, while the policies and system related to the high-quality development of TCM will be improved, and its unique strengths brought fully into play.

The plan sets out key tasks in 10 aspects to be implemented during the period, such as building a sound TCM service system, training practitioners and developing a high-level system for passing on and protecting the tradition, and fostering innovation in the field.

The plan also emphasizes combining TCM and modern science and integrating Chinese and Western medicine to better protect people.