Tour guide competition back after 3-year hiatus
Together with three other central departments, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will launch the fifth national tour guide competition in an effort to boost the recovery of the tourism industry.
In a statement released online in late March, it said that provincial-level regions should carry out their own rounds of qualification between April and June and nominate two finalists each before June 30.
Local authorities should emphasize the importance of the competition and understand its role in restoring the development of the tourism industry, the ministry said, asking authorities to carefully organize qualifying rounds.
They should also encourage tour guides to participate, and promote public awareness of the competition through a variety of channels, including radio, television, newspapers, and the internet.
The final event of the fourth national tour guide competition was held in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region in September 2019.
More tombs expected to be swept this year
The Ministry of Civil Affairs has asked local authorities to make plans for the upcoming Qingming Festival, or Tomb Sweeping Day, to ensure the annual rituals commemorating ancestors and deceased family members unfold in a safe, orderly manner.
Wang Jinhua, head of the ministry's social affairs department, made the remark during a news conference on Friday.
After three years of strict COVID-19 controls, China downgraded management of the disease in January. As a result, many more people are expected to observe Qingming this year, which falls on Wednesday.
Many of those who were unable to return home for the past three years are expected to do so for the festival this year, leading to a rise in the number of people attending rituals, according to Wang.
The ministry has required local authorities to resume full funeral services, and has forbidden arbitrary restrictions or suspensions of such services, Wang said.
Ministry cracks down on invasive species
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has asked agricultural authorities to continue to improve efforts to prevent and control invasive species.
In a meeting held in Wenchang, Hainan province in March, the ministry asked authorities to focus on major invasive species, including the golden apple snail, the common water hyacinth, and the bitter vine, and ensure they are eradicated as quickly as possible using measures suited to local conditions.
Calling for early detection and treatment, the ministry urged authorities to speed up surveys of invasive species and strengthen monitoring of areas that have already been invaded or which are at high risk.
The ministry stated that authorities should also crack down on the illegal introduction, release or discarding of invasive species and encourage the public to participate in prevention and control.