City's party chief: People's well-off is top priority

By Tao Li (Chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-05-30 14:21

To enable the people to live a well-off and peaceful life has always been a central task of the city government, Luo Luo Zhijun, Party Secrectary of Nanjing, said Monday.

City's party chief: People's well-off is top priority

Luo Zhijun, Party Secretary of Nanjing is seen in this photo during the group interview on May 29, 2006. [chinadaily.com.cn]

Nanjing is an energetic city with agreeable natural environment, concentrated scientific resources, various talents, and a strong cultural atmosphere, Luo told reporters during an interview.

During the 10th five-year period, Nanjing accomplished widely-acclaimed social and economic achievements.

Luo introduced the social, economic, and cultural development of the city, especially its implementation of "priority on enriching the people" project.

"This was a historical period when the city witnessed remarkable changes," Luo said.

"Nanjing's gross domestic production (GDP) has doubled during the past five years, reaching 241.3 billion yuan, reporting a year-on-year increase of 14.2 percent. The past five years was also a time when the people in Nanjing shared the most benefits. Both urban and rural residents have seen a higher disposable income. By the end of 2005, per capita annual disposable income of urban residents stood at 14, 997 yuan (US$ 1,872) while that of farmers stood at 6,250 yuan (US$ 782), reporting an annual increase of 9 percent." Luo said.

Talking about the new measures in the city's people-enriching project, Luo said innovation was fundamental, while bringing the city's competitive advantages to full play is the core task.

Moreover, Luo said the city not only was seeking a balance between economic development and environmental protection.

Culture and historical inheritance are the soul of Nanjing. While carrying out the people-enriching project, the city government has also paid enormous attention to maintaining the sound ecological environment, in an attempt to transform economic growth model and achieve sustainable development, according to Luo.

The party chief vowed to stick to the strategy of scientific development and the goal of building an affluent and harmonious society during 11th five-year period.

"The per capita annual disposable income of the city's urban residents is expected to reach 16,000 yuan (US$ 2,000) and those of the rural residents will reach 8,000 yuan (US$ 1,000) by the end of 2007," Luo said.