BEIJING, (Reuters) – China’s Cabinet issued Tuesday guidelines for developing consumer services. These included increased financial support to small businesses that provide catering, accommodation and childcare as well as healthcare services.

A notice posted by the State Council on their website stated that the government will use monetary policies tools, such as rediscounting or relending, to support services businesses and help commercial banks increase lending to these firms.

This statement is made as China intensifies efforts to address the needs of a wide range of society’s people under President Xi Jinping’s slogan of “common prosperity”, which focuses on narrowing social gaps between urban and rural areas.

According to the State Council, fiscal incentives are being encouraged by the local governments. Local government special bonds can fund public service infrastructure projects.

The local authorities will also be asked to create an emergency system in the event of a severe disease, accident or other major disaster, as well as to provide assistance to consumer service firms, including renting reductions and financial support.

The State Council announced that the government would allow part-time higher education for qualified workers to help with the shortage in services.

According to it, by 2025, there will be 100,000 more college-educated graduates of the childcare, nursing and rehabilitation majors than in 2020.