In the past two years, a number of child care centers have installed high-tech equipment, including intelligent surveillance systems and facial-recognition technology, to ensure children's safety.

On July 8, a document drafted by the National Health Commission outlining management regulations for child care centers was opened for public comment and consultation.

The guideline said child care centers must establish monitoring systems for primary baby care areas, while 24-hour surveillance and alarm systems will be required to cover all centers of activity.

Moreover, monitoring records should be kept for at least 90 days, and there must be no unauthorized gaps, deletions or alterations.

It is not the first time authorities have stipulated the use of high-tech equipment to ensure the safety of children in care centers.

On April 12 last year, a statement issued by the State Council, China's Cabinet, said the internet and digitized systems should be used to strengthen supervision.

On May 9, the General Office of the State Council issued a guideline related to improvements in services for children age 3 and younger.

The guideline said the internet, big data, the internet of things and artificial intelligence should be fully utilized to optimize services and management in child care institutions.

In response, some local governments, such as those in Shanghai and Nanjing, Jiangsu province, and administrative departments have put forward concrete measures to improve child care services and the sector in general, including the greater use of high-tech equipment and intelligent systems to ensure safety.