Quality of life crucial, say local government officials

The authorities of an airport-based pilot economic zone in Zhengzhou, capital of Central China's Henan province, are striving to improve not only business, but also local people's lives.

"Since its establishment last June, we have been endeavoring to expand social security and improve infrastructure," said Zhang Yanming, director of the administrative committee of the Zhengzhou Comprehensive Experimental Zone for Airport-based Economy.

Statistics from the committee show that nearly 20,000 farmers whose land was acquired to develop the zone are receiving their subsidies while the rural medical system covers almost all 250,000 residents in the zone.