Beijing, the capital of China, gives priority in its overall city
planning to the quality of life of its low-income residents.
According to city civil-affairs departments, for example, the
number of residents taking advantage of benefits provided under the
minimum standard of living system (a monthly allowance of 325 yuan
for basic living expenses) has increased from 3,000 to 80,000.
The municipal government of Beijing also has tried to improve its
social security system. It has created more jobs and increased
people's income by stimulating the development of medium-sized and
small state-owned enterprises, private businesses and
labor-intensive industries. In addition, it explores employment
opportunities in the new fields of information, agency services and
environmental protection. Moreover, the city has launched
community-action projects that employ some 100,000 people in
projects like security patrols, cleaning, and gardening. Full-time,
seasonal, or short-term employment has been developed. These
efforts have kept the unemployment rate in Beijing within 2
percent.
To
continue its policies to protect workers who have been laid off at
relatively older ages, the city will safeguard the legal interests
of bankrupt and relocating enterprises. Neighborhood social
security offices are under construction to accelerate the creation
of an employment service network covering the city, districts, and
neighborhoods.
In
response to residents need for affordable but good medical care,
Beijing plans to establish a medical insurance system catering to
customers of different income levels. The basic medical insurance
in urban areas will involve 3.5-4 million people, and enterprises
are encouraged to promote medical and health reform by establishing
their own supplementary medical insurance programs.
The Beijing municipal government will gradually include all groups
with difficult circumstances inside the minimum standard of living
system. A social security framework guaranteeing farmers' minimum
living expenses will also be formed in the city in the first
quarter of this year, according to sources with the departments of
civil affairs.
Along with the ongoing renovation of old and dangerous houses and
the construction of new apartments, a great number of other
affordable apartments and houses will be provided lower-income
people.
(From Xinhua
News Agency and translated by Guo Xiaohong for china.org.cn
March 1, 2002)