China Urges Efforts to Support Development of Small, Medium-firms
China yesterday (August 19) called for more assistance and financial support to encourage the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Attendees at a State Council executive meeting, chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao, agreed that promoting SMEs was of great importance to maintain economic growth and social stability. Measures would be taken to help these companies tackle financing difficulties. What's more, the establishment of the Growth Enterprise Market (GEM), the country's first Nasdaq-style market, is expected to help small companies raise money.

Colleges, Vocational and Technical Students Enjoy Medical Insurance
All students studying in colleges, secondary vocational schools and technical schools in Guangdong will be covered by the basic provincial medical insurance scheme. The Guangdong Labor and Social Security Department announced this decision yesterday (August 19), saying that this scheme should benefit up to 2.8 million people. The premium and subsidy standards will follow the current regulations for local primary and middle school students.

Chinese Boy in Coma Lifted From A/H1N1 Flu Quarantine 
Doctors have lifted the quarantine yesterday (August 19) on Guangdong first serious A/H1N1 flu patient. The quarantine was lifted after he tested negative to A/H1N1 for three consecutive days. However, the 17-year-old boy is still in a coma and suffering from severe brain edema. The high school student developed a fever on Aug. 5, and passed out the next day at home before being hospitalized in Guangzhou.