Residents reap rewards of zone's financial success

By Zhuan Ti | China Daily | Updated: 2017-05-08 07:16

Weifang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone will continue to work hard to enhance the livelihoods of local residents in 2017.

The first batch of livelihood enhancement projects were released in early April, which involve 16 tasks in sectors including education, healthcare, eldercare and heat supply.

"Those livelihood enhancement projects will improve residents' living standards and enhance public service quality. They will bring more happiness to residents and help them to gain many benefits," said Sun Huanjin, communications director of the Party Working Committee of the zone.

In 2017, local authorities plan to invest 53 million yuan($7.69 million) to develop 35 parks in the zone to provide residents with leisure and entertainment facilities. Some parks will be ready to open in May, according to authorities.

More infrastructure projects will be undertaken in 2017 to develop better living conditions for residents. The zone's government plans to invest 290 million yuan to extend 18 roads and improve their water drainage capacity. It will invest a total of 87 million yuan to upgrade road conditions and traffic light systems.

The zone will strive to improve educational services by investing 1.1 billion yuan in the construction and expansion of seven schools and kindergartens this year. Among these, Weifang Hansheng International School, Dongfang School and the Daguan Division of Beihai School will be put into operation in September this year.

Meanwhile, four schools are in the planning and design stage and will be built in the zone within the next few years.

A new set of school uniforms will be provided to students in primary and secondary schools this year.

More than 7 million yuan will be invested in the healthcare sector to improve medical services available in the region. Students between third and sixth grade will enjoy free dental treatments this year.

Subsidies will be provided for stroke patients who undertake recovery programs in the People's Hospital in the zone.

The zone's authorities have long been committed to enhancing residents' livelihoods over the past few years. The zone has so far launched 43 livelihood enhancement projects with a total investment of 1.41 billion yuan.