CCTV News (News Broadcast): At the beginning of the new year, a series of new measures to improve people's lives have been implemented and are taking effect, bringing tangible convenience and benefits to people's lives.
At the start of the year, the 2026 consumer goods "trade-in" program was launched nationwide. This year, in addition to purchasing green home appliances in six categories such as refrigerators and washing machines, subsidies continue to be available for scrapping and replacing cars, and smart glasses and smart home products have also been included in the subsidy support scope.
While government subsidies are improving people's quality of life, a new round of large-scale equipment upgrades is also adding to the benefits. In 2026, the government allocated funds from ultra-long-term special treasury bonds to support the installation of elevators in old residential communities and the upgrading of facilities in elderly care institutions, with many localities following suit with supporting policies. These days, in Ansha Town, Changsha County, Hunan Province, the local government is installing fall detection radars in bedrooms and emergency call systems at an elderly care center, and is also making age-friendly modifications to corridors and dining chairs.
Targeting the urgent needs and concerns of the people, a series of warm and effective policies have been implemented this year. 114 new drugs have been included in the national medical insurance drug catalog, and funds from employee medical insurance personal accounts can be used across provinces, making it more convenient for people to access medical care. Fees for some second-hand housing transactions and interest rates on existing housing provident fund loans have been reduced to meet the rigid housing needs of residents. Kindergarten fees have been standardized and the number of regular high school places has been increased, allowing urban and rural areas to share high-quality educational resources. Just recently, the 2026 childcare subsidy for infants under 3 years old was fully open for application, with each child eligible to receive 3,600 yuan per year.
In 2026, 150,000 new inclusive childcare places will be added across the country, more cities will pilot long-term care insurance, and the pilot program for occupational injury protection for new employment forms will be expanded nationwide... More meticulous measures to improve people's lives will bring more tangible and accessible happiness to the people.
