Nationwide crackdown targets illegal use of fire in wide range of activities

Guideline promotes equal access to information

China will take measures to enable people to access, exchange and use information equally, conveniently and safely in an effort to narrow the digital divide and promote social inclusivity, a guideline published on Wednesday said.

Jointly issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the China Disabled Persons' Federation, it said efforts will be focused on priority groups such as the elderly, the disabled, residents in remote areas and people from different cultural backgrounds, aiming to remove the obstacles they face in three aspects of information consumption: charges; terminal devices; and services and applications.

By the end of next year, people with disabilities and rural residents aged over 60 will be charged lower fees for communication services, the accessibility of information on government websites and mobile internet applications and in public facilities will be further improved, and access to internet in primary and secondary schools and health centers in villages and towns will be expanded, the guideline said.