Companies selected to help boost seed sector

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has selected dozens of seed industry enterprises and organizations to provide support for efforts to further cultivate the country’s seed sector.

According to a notice published on Aug 4, 69 crop seed companies, 86 domestic animal and fowl genetic resources companies and 121 centered on aquatic germplasm resources were chosen from more than 30,000 companies nationwide to pioneer China’s seed industry vitalization.

The move is a key step in the nation’s efforts to achieve self-reliance in seed technology and ensure that its germplasm resources are independent and controllable, the notice said.

It stressed the importance of using resources, technologies, talent and capital to develop a cluster of leading companies with core research and development abilities that can boost industrial development and compete on the world stage.

The ministry also required local agricultural authorities to help the chosen enterprises solve their problems in a timely manner, study and introduce preferential policies for their development and crack down on illegal activities that infringe on their intellectual property rights.

Authorities aim to improve road traffic safety

Public security authorities have vowed to improve road traffic safety nationwide to better prevent serious accidents.

During a meeting on Aug 3, the Ministry of Public Security required intensified efforts to improve the conditions of roads with sharp turns, steep slopes and construction projects that have frequently caused accidents.

Special campaigns should be continuously carried out to investigate and punish unlawful acts on the road, such as drunk driving, it said.

According to the ministry, vehicles used to break laws, people who are banned from driving and sections of roads that frequently witness accidents should be publicized.

It also stressed the importance of buckling up for electric bicycle riders, rear passengers in cars and passengers in commercial motor vehicles.