Seven authorities including the National Development and Reform Commission ("NDRC") have recently issued the Opinions on Promoting the Development of "Internet Plus Social Services" (the "Opinions").
The Opinions outline 16 guidelines in six aspects, including increasing the supply of social service resources through digital transformation. Among the 16 guidelines are promoting the digitalization of social service resources to stimulate the multiplication effects of internet on production factors of quality services, and encouraging the innovation and application of emerging technology to make new products, emerging industries and new business models regarding social services grow much stronger. Among others, the Opinions encourage the development of internet hospitals, digital libraries, digital culture centers, virtual museums, virtual stadiums, massive open online courses (MOOC), etc. to facilitate the utilization and sharing of good-quality resources in the field of social services for higher output. In addition, the Opinions encourage the demonstrative application of intelligent and interactive innovation, such as synchronously livestreamed classes, remote guidance on operations, immersive sports, digital arts, livestreaming of performances, livestreaming of sports events, and social networking based on high-definition video communication, to pioneer and stimulate the development of emerging industries and creative business models, such as digital creativity, smart medical care, smart tourism, smart culture, smart sports, and smart elderly care.