《政府重视民生问题》

Gov't taking livelihood into consideration

By Hao Nan (China Daily)

The Changsha National Economic and Technological Development Zone, rated

No 6 on the list of areas with great investment potential in China in 2009.

Although he majored in law at college, Zhou Qiang still knows exactly how to let economic growth benefit the people.

The 51-year-old Zhou, who is the Hunan Party Secretary, said that he sticks to a people-based idea in governing, one that considers the task of increasing people's happiness a top priority.

"What people are most concerned about is housing, employment, health, and education," Zhou explained. "So, their livelihood should be something that is considered throughout the government's work."

The Hunan government has increased spending on people's livelihood in recent years. In 2010, it amounted to more than 170 billion yuan ($26 billion), up from 2009's 120 billion yuan, and accounting for 60 percent of total spending.

"Housing is one of their most basic needs. Everyone dreams of owning a house," Zhou asserted.

The government has been involved in a project since 2009 for easing the financial burdens of fishermen and helping them settle down on land rather than living on a boat.

In 2009, there were 2,332 households benefiting from this program and beginning a new life.

One of the people affected said, "We want to express our gratitude to the local government. Without their help, it's almost impossible for us to get a house."

The government has also rebuilt some of the poorer houses in rural areas, and has provided employment opportunities by attracting investment to those areas.

In one of these, the government signed an agreement with the Foxconn Group to introduce jobs and technology to the province.

Last year, some 700,000 locals found jobs and 350,000 were re-employed last year, while the number of surplus rural laborers who were relocated exceeded 1.1 million.

Medical resources

The unequal access to medical care has been another problem. People sometimes have to wait a long time just to register for treatment at large hospitals, the Party chief said.

In response, in March, the Xiangya No.2 Hospital at Central South University, in the capital city Changsha, formed an alliance with 170 hospitals, in various provinces and cities.

They are working on a referral system to facilitate medical treatments by maximizing the use of medical resources.

In addition, there will be frequent training classes and exchanges to produce better doctors and nurses.

In a related move, the government said that the slogan "Let every child have the chance at an education" is no longer an empty one, but something they are actually trying to deliver.

"We'll earmark 100 million yuan annually during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) for school expansion and reconstruction," Zhou said.

"And we started a program to be sure there is more comprehensive educational funding within the next three to five years."