According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the number of community
residential committees has now reached the 100,000 mark.
This latest news from the Ministry of Civil Affairs confirms that
the drive for community development to cover the nation from the
great metropolis to the small city has now entered a new era of
all-round expansion.
The latest statistics from the Ministry show there are already
100,000 community residential committees, 500,000 cadres, 180,000
community service facilities and 450,000 community service outlets
nationwide.
Community residential committees now have 360,000 full-time and
570,000 part-time employees and a further 5.4 million volunteers
support their work.
In
addition, 900,000 community service organisations have been
established throughout the country and 29 provinces, autonomous
regions and municipalities have set up Community Development
Leaders' Groups.
This all serves to demonstrate that significant advances are being
made across the nation in the field of community development.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs released its Guidelines for National
Community Development in 2001. Since then the majority of
provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities have brought
forward schemes in line with this guidance.
Some cities have in particular actively promoted the slogan "Create
a city that is a model of Community Development." Many examples of
good practice have emerged across the nation.
Government at all levels has increased its investment in the
development of community infrastructure. In order to meet the
challenges of providing office space, covering administrative
expenses and paying personnel, a variety of measures have been
adopted. Preferential policies have been introduced, a number of
different channels for finance have been found, resources have been
shared and cooperative projects have been set up.
Helped by an atmosphere of cooperation, progress in community
development is pushing forward, watched with great interest by
society. In the cities today, community development has become the
key mission. It is a hot issue in terms of public concern. It has
an essential role to play in the new drive for growth in the
tertiary industries.
(china.org.cn by Tang Fuchun, August 7, 2002)