Higher spending flows into enhancing welfare of citizens

By Yuan Shenggao | China Daily | Updated: 2018-02-06 07:34

Weifang Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, reporting its public budget, said general expenditure came in at 2.47 billion yuan ($390 million) in 2017, of which 70 percent went to improving people's living conditions.

Statistics from the local finance bureau showed that total spending on bettering the lives of residents in the zone reached 1.73 billion yuan in 2017, up 22.2 percent year-on-year.

Significant investments were made in fields such as education, culture, healthcare and building eco-systems - to support a better quality of life for residents.

The zone's government revealed that about 250 million yuan was invested in school construction and expansion, to reduce student class sizes last year. New schools opened their doors, including Weifang Hansen School and Daguan School.

Dongming School's Dongfang extension welcomed 1,397 students in September. More than 700 young scholars were enrolled in 16 first-grade classes.

"Every item, including ceramic tiles and every piece of furniture was carefully selected," said Li Yuliang, principal of Dongming School. "We have to ensure every penny provided by the zone's government is well spent."

Apart from building more schools to reduce the number of students in classes, the zone has also provided more educational subsidies to students.

In 2017, every primary school student enjoyed a 1,210 yuan annual subsidy, up from 810 yuan in 2016. Students in junior high schools enjoyed a 1,510 yuan annual subsidy in 2017, up from 1,010 yuan in 2016.

In 2017, the zone also established 8 million yuan in funds to award teachers and principals in schools and kindergartens.

"The zone has long been investing heavily in boosting educational services, aiming at establishing a modern and balanced system and increasing the zone's position in the education sector," said Li Yun, director of the budget department in the zone's finance bureau.

Last year, the zone's government also initiated several projects to create a more comfortable living environment for residents.

A total of 5.3 billion yuan was invested through public-private partnerships on projects including upgrading pedestrian walkways and new parks.

"The public-private partnership model has helped to enhance the zone's living environment, attracted social capital and reduced the government's financial burden," said Wang Yang, director of the economic development department of the high-tech zone's finance bureau.

Last year, the zone spared no effort in providing more support to people in financial difficulties.

Monthly subsistence allowances for individuals were increased from 500 yuan to 550 yuan in 2017, and 185,000 people are currently covered by government-funded livelihood insurance.

The zone provided 23 million yuan and 12 million yuan, respectively, to subsidize an endowment insurance fund and medical insurance fund. Subsidies were also provided to low-income seniors and impoverished seniors unable to take care of themselves.

A public healthcare system upgrade was another key task for the local government in 2017.

Authorities established a 3.5 million yuan fund to encourage women in the zone to take breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings. Subsidies were also made available to stroke patients who are receiving recovery treatment and those on dialysis in hospitals.

An Bin, director of the zone's finance bureau, said that more investments will be made in public services and infrastructure in the coming years.

Wang Weidong contributed to this story.