Chinese leadership stresses tangible benefits for citizens

CHINA: The central budget for 2013 features notable spending increases in areas closely related to quality of life, including education, healthcare, social security and public housing.

For example, government spending on medical and health care increased by 27.1 percent year on year to 260.25 billion yuan in 2013.

It is remarkable that the government report has pledged to ensure that the real per capita income for urban and rural residents increases in step with economic growth and that salaries will rise in line with increases in labor productivity. These simultaneous increases are proof of efforts to better deal with problems related to people's well-being, said Liu Shucheng, an economic researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The tangible well-being of the people not only includes fattening wallets, but also solving problems regarding education, medical care, housing and pensions to achieve social fairness and justice, he said.

Without fair opportunities, it will be difficult to realize the "Chinese dream," analysts say. Xi Jinping described the "Chinese dream" as the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in November. The buzzword "Chinese dream" has encouraged individual Chinese people from all walks of life to contribute to the national goal.

Zhang Wencheng, secretary of the CPC branch committee of Sijia Village, Liaoning Province, said investment is needed for the construction of infrastructure facilities in villages, including health centers and retirement homes, as well as garbage collection and fire-fighting work.

"The basic living standards of farmers have improved significantly, but their quality of life needs to reach new levels. This is a great challenge," said Zhang, who is also an NPC deputy.

"The emphasis on tangible benefits is what ordinary citizens most want to hear and understand. It is the attitude and promise of the central authorities," he added. The complex public social services should cover both the urban and vast rural areas, according to Jiang Hong, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, China's top political advisory body.

AFP