China will issue an edited version of the principles of
harmonious society with residents' satisfaction being the main
principle in assessing community harmony, according to Wang Jinhua,
deputy director of the department of administrative construction at
basic levels and community construction of Ministry of Civil
Affairs.
Wang addressed the Forum of Construction of Harmonious and
Prosperous Communities (China-UK) in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. He said that by the
end of 2006, China had a total of 80,717 neighborhood committees,
with most of them providing public service that should be fulfilled
by their local governments.
"Public services such as healthcare, education and public
security should be carried out by governments at different levels,
not communities," said Wang, adding that the state will gradually
undertake these services, beginning with insurance registration for
low-income families, qualification verification and pensions.
A revised law to organize urban neighborhood committees will
soon be released, addressing issues of their legal status,
functions and responsibilities, member elections and salaries.
Mapping out standards and assessment systems of harmonious
communities is also on the agenda of the central government.
According to Wang, community construction will become an important
index in local officials' annual assessment.
In the future, communities will enlarge teams of volunteers and
social workers, providing better career opportunities for
university and college graduates. "We hope there will at least be
one well-educated college graduate per community in three to five
years," said Wang.
(China.org.cn by Huang Shan September 28, 2007)