China's central authorities have ordered localities to ensure a pleasant, peaceful, harmonious and stable life for the people during the upcoming holidays for the New Year and the Chinese traditional Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 7 this coming year.

A circular to this effect was jointly published on Wednesday by the General Offices of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and of the State Council.

In China, it has been a routine practice to issue such a circular prior to the New Year and Spring Festival holidays, but this year, the circular gives top priority to public life and social harmony.

The circular urges Party committees, governments and leading officials at all levels to attach greater importance to improving the people's life and promoting social harmony. It also urges these committees and officials to help the masses deal with outstanding problems they have encountered in production and life, especially those who urgently need assistance to resolve their difficulties.

It urges localities to mainly comfort retired or handicapped veterans and families of people in the armed services or martyrs, as well as aged "model workers," advanced workers and retirees. It also gives priority to impoverished rural families and low-income or unemployed urban residents.

The issue of delayed payment for migrant workers from the countryside is mentioned in the circular.

It orders relevant departments to ensure sufficient supplies of water, power, oil, gas and heating, as well as commodities and services, during the coming holidays.

Meanwhile, the authorities pledged to crack down on illegal activities that are harmful to the operation of markets and the supply of safe food, medicine and catering, as well as on pornography and gambling.

It emphasizes the importance of preventing accidents and urges relevant authorities to discover hidden problems and dangers in different industries, transportation and tourist and recreational sites.

It bans extravagant activities by officials and orders officials not to accept cash and valuables under any pretext.

(Xinhua News Agency December 27, 2007)