A/HRC/25/5 10. The ratio of government spending on education to GDP increased from 3.31 per cent to 4.07 per cent. Free nine-year compulsory education has been accessible throughout the country. 11. China has established a nationwide primary medical insurance system and over 1.3 billion people have joined various medical insurance schemes. The subsistence allowance programme has basically covered all urban and rural areas. 12. From 2009 to 2012, the Government set aside over 450 billion yuan in assistance funds to build government-subsidized urban apartments and renovate shanty areas. 13. China has made the reduction of major pollutants a mandatory target in economic and social development and taken steps to improve mechanisms, strengthen supervision and resolve outstanding environmental problems. 14. China encourages greater public involvement in the legislative process by publishing draft laws and holding hearings, discussions and forums. 15. Deputies to the People’s Congresses are to be elected on the same population ratio in both urban and rural areas. Direct elections are held for more than 98 per cent of villagers’ committees. 16. All 60 tasks of the judicial system reform have been completed. The Amendment VIII to the Criminal Law abolished the death penalty for 13 economic and non-violent crimes. The procedures for the review of death penalty and the system to exclude the use of illegal evidence were improved and the application of coercive measures standardized. 17. China has taken concrete actions in protecting people’s freedom of speech and freedom of religious belief in accordance with law. People can express views freely through microblogs, postings and other means. There are 5,500 religious organizations, 100 religious universities and 140,000 sites for religious activities. 18. China has put the Law against Domestic Violence on its legislative agenda. Mechanisms designed to assist and guarantee the rights of orphans, children with disabilities and HIV/AIDS-affected children have been improved. Old-age insurance schemes had covered all rural areas and non-working urban residents. 19. Minority ethnic groups enjoy extensive human rights. Their freedom of religious belief and the right to use and develop their spoken and written languages are respected and guaranteed. 20. China is party to 26 international conventions and worked hard to implement them. Every year, China holds human rights dialogues or consultations with 20 countries. China has provided economic and technical assistance to other developing countries to help them realize their right to development. 21. China will increase its annual donation to OHCHR to US$ 800,000. It will receive the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice and three other special procedures. 22. China faces difficulties and challenges in promoting and protecting human rights. Unbalanced, uncoordinated and unsustainable development remains an acute problem. Too many people still live in poverty. A balanced income distribution structure is yet to be put in place. Judicial injustice exists. 23. Hong Kong, China, implemented the statutory minimum wage in 2011 and amended the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance in 2012. The methods of selecting the Chief Executive in 2017 and forming the Legislative Council in 2016 should be strictly in accordance with the Basic Law and relevant interpretations and decisions of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. It will continue to enhance the protection of 4