China's Ministry of Veteran Affairs has pushed through with its mandate to provide assistance to demobilized military personnel via the passing of several laws and policies to the country's legislature. The proposed laws and policies, which are all aimed at supporting the country's veterans, is reportedly already scheduled for reading by the country's top legislature. If it does pass the reading, the proposed legislation and policies will be reviewed by the National People's Congress Standing Committee before the year ends.
According to local media reports, the agency has submitted a total of 11 proposed laws and around 17 new policies. The laws and policies are mainly focused on providing veterans assistance with vocational training, reemployment, benefits, rights, and business startup assistance. According to the country's minister of veteran affairs, Sun Shaocheng, the agency he is in charge of has been working tirelessly to provide laws and regulations that would prioritize the country's heroes.
Sun made the statement at the recently held Ministers' Corridor press briefing of the 2019 Two Sessions. The official also added that he sees a bright future ahead for the ministry given the government's support to safeguard the welfare of its veterans. Sun also mentioned that the new legislation will be applied to all government levels, from the central government down to the county level. It was also revealed that veteran affairs departments throughout all government levels should be established by the end of the March. Additionally, a veteran's service network will be available in every city and village around the country by May of this year.
China established the Ministry of Veteran Affairs in April of last year. The agency has been tasked with providing policies and regulations that deal with veterans' retirement, training, and reemployment. Since the start of the People's Republic of China in 1949, there has been an estimated 57 million military personnel that have retired from service. In 2018, it is estimated that 530,000 personnel had retired from service and have since re-integrated into civilian life.
Despite being relatively new, the country's Ministry of Veteran Affairs has been successful in fulfilling its mandate. The agency recently set up a National Veterans Service Center in the country's capital. The center offers a myriad of services to veterans, including offering financial assistance to retirees, assistance in starting up businesses, handling complaints, receiving petitions, and even legal assistance. Aside from the new regulations, the agency is looking into further expanding its support for veterans with other projects it already has in the pipeline.
