The Ministry of Civil Affairs has urged authorities that run homeless shelters to be prepared to offer proper help to those living on the streets this winter.

Zou Ming, vice-minister of civil affairs, said in a national video conference that shelters should follow strict working practices to help homeless people.

Shelters should be managed properly, Zou said. They must prohibit dangerous goods, such as knives or anything that could start a fire, and make an immediate search for the next of kin when a person is admitted.