China's ACFIC pledges more support for implementation of private sector promotion law

The All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) pledges more support for the implementation of the country's newly-adopted private sector promotion law, said Fang Guanghua, vice chairman of the ACFIC, on Thursday.

China's national lawmakers on April 30 voted to adopt the country's first fundamental law dedicated to promoting the private sector, which is set to take effect on May 20.

Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Fang said that the federation will intensify efforts to promote the law's implementation.

"We will cooperate with functional departments to speed up the introduction of supporting policies, and to promote the implementation of legal provisions. We will also promote the building of a cordial and clean relationship between government and business, establish and improve a government-enterprise communication mechanism, and improve service levels, so as to continuously empower private enterprises' production and operation activities, guide private enterprises to foster new quality productive forces, help them improve quality, efficiency and market competitiveness, and continuously expand the space for the high-quality development of private enterprises," he said.

"We will also guide private companies to operate in accordance with law. The private economy promotion law also promotes the modern governance of private enterprises. We will continue to work with relevant departments to implement the plan which is designed to enhance the legal literacy of private entrepreneurs, deepen the construction of legal and clean private enterprises. We must also promote qualified private enterprises to establish and improve the modern enterprise system with Chinese characteristics and help improve their management and operation levels," Fang continued.

Private enterprises have long been a key driving force behind China's economic rise, contributing more than 60 percent of GDP and 80 percent of urban employment. By the end of March 2025, the country's more-than-57-million registered private enterprises made up over 92 percent of all businesses in China.

China's ACFIC pledges more support for implementation of private sector promotion law

Villages in Thailand's Sisaket Province, which borders Cambodia, are quiet and empty after residents were evacuated to shelters.

With permission from the Thai military, a China Media Group (CMG) reporter entered the border conflict zone on Sunday and saw bullet holes scattered across residential buildings, as well as deep craters left by rocket and artillery fire.

"Villagers had been evacuated to shelters, leaving only us security personnel in the area," said Thai army Lieutenant General Patchakorn.

He added that civilians are not yet able to return home, citing the unstable security situation and ongoing hostilities.

Artillery fire could still be heard at the scene throughout the day. Thai military officials said the explosions were caused by Thai artillery strikes targeting Cambodian positions.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Sunday that Thai forces have taken control of nearly all targeted areas and are now compelling Cambodian forces to withdraw, adding that the areas are being closely monitored to prevent any renewed clashes.

The latest round of Thailand-Cambodia conflict, which reignited since Dec 7, has resulted in the deaths of 34 Thai civilians, Thai Ministry of Defense spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri told a press conference on Sunday.

The civilian death toll in Cambodia has risen to 19, Cambodia’s Defense Ministry said on the same day.

Thai border villages emptied as fighting with Cambodia leaves homes scarred