China's State Council urged urban communities to play a leading role in offering public services to help improve quality of residents' life and reduce social problems at an executive meeting held Wednesday.

The meeting, presided over by Chinese Premier Wen Jiaobao, says the improvement of community service is vital to achieve reform, development and stability.

Local governments, community neighborhood committees, non-governmental organizations, businesses and individuals should strive to build up a system to offer public services, ranging from employment, social security, medical care and sports activities in communities, according to the meeting.

It encourages Communist Party organizations and residents' autonomous institutions to improve their ability in serving residents and managing communities.

The meeting also reviewed a report by the Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games and praised preparations made so far, urging parties concerned to complete construction of the main bodies of gymnasiums, Olympic villages, and media and conference centers.

(Xinhua News Agency February 23, 2006)