"Pensions have increased by more than 1,000 yuan in three years. Health-care insurance covers most of my medical needs. Life is becoming better and better," Zhu Liping, a retired worker in Beijing, told the journalist with happiness and excitement. She has just signed up for a trip to Hong Kong with her husband. Zhu's words reflect the gratifying changes in Chinese people's lives in recent years. On the basis of brilliant achievements from reform and opening up, the 16th CPC National Congress started a journey towards a well-off society. Over the past five years, the income of urban and rural residents steadily increased; the quality of Chinese people's lives significantly improved; the social security system matured; economic and social development achieved new leaps forward. Hundreds of millions of Chinese people, with high hopes, are marching toward more affluent and better-off lives.
Comprehensive development for lives that are well-off requires a foundation of sound and fast economic growth. From 2003 to 2006, China's national economic growth reached or exceeded 10%. In 2006, the GDP topped 21 trillion yuan – double over 2002. Quality is more important than speed! All industries have embraced Deng Xiaoping's Theory and "Three Represents" as a guide; and thoroughly adopted a scientific concept of development, so as to strengthen the "shortcomings" of economic development. Eastern China has taken the lead in national development. Together with the programs of western regional development, northeast China's revitalization and central China's development, all regions have been able to develop in harmony. To achieve a comprehensively well-off society, the most difficult task lies in rural areas. Between 2004 and 2007, the central government has focused on "three rural problems" (countryside, agriculture and farmers) in the "No.1 Document;" has waived the agricultural tax; and has implemented a new rural cooperative medical system. The policy of "giving more, taking less, and loosening control" has significantly benefited more than 900 million farmers. Since the 16th CPC National Congress, the average annual growth rate of the per capita net income of rural residents has reached 6.2%. In first half of 2007, the actual cash income of farmers increased by 13.3%, a record high since 1995.
People are bound to enjoy the fruits of development. China's economic and social development has always been infused with the theme of constantly improving people's living standards. Over the past five years, people have had more money. At the end of June, RMB deposits into the savings of urban and rural residents registered a balance of 16.95 trillion yuan, up 8 trillion yuan over the end of 2002. The per capita national income surged from $1,100 in 2002, to $2,010 in 2006 – nearly doubling in four years.
A growth in income has driven consumption; and has made people's lives more colorful. The per capita housing area of urban residents increased from 22.8 square meters in 2002 to over 27 square meters in 2006; the number of cars owned by every 100 urban households rose form 0.9 in 2002 to 4.3; and travel became a common leisure activity for the general public. Every golden week, millions of tourists create a unique scene. Being well-off is going to a higher level.
To build a society that is comprehensively well-off, we should pay close attention to disadvantaged people, as well as problems and difficulties in people's lives. Wei Xin, a well-known worker who was laid-off, has opened his own cleaning company and created job opportunities for scores of laid-off workers by relying on the Chongqing City government's support and his own efforts. Work is the basis for people's lives. With central authorities promulgating policies to support employment and re-employment, an active employment policy framework with Chinese characteristics has been established.
Looking back on people's lives in recent years, all the new changes are gratifying and inspiring. The CPC is building a comprehensively better life for and bringing more benefits to 1.3 billion Chinese people. Even better lives are yet to come!
By People's Daily Online |
