Less conflict leads to further happiness in Tai'an city

Dongping county in Tai'an city, East China's Shandong province, takes strife among local villagers seriously and moves to help them solve or negotiate a range of issues in a bid to improve their livelihoods.

In Tu'an village, local officials tend to collect the demands and queries of villagers at the square, as people often gather there to chat and exercise.

To date, the village has solved problems such as unlit streetlights, stagnant water on rainy days, and insufficient warning signs around ponds, said Xu Changhua, a local official.

Elsewhere in Shidai Xincheng community, Jiang Xiuzhen, an 83-year-old woman, lived a colorful life. "I live in the community and they are willing to help me handle issues like changing my light bulbs," she said.

Zhan Xingxing, a villager in Banjiudian town, is good at resolving conflicts and disputes among locals. He has even established a mediation room in the town.

"I must praise Zhan Xingxing and his mediation room. If there is an urgent matter or a big conflict, then he will come immediately," said Wang Chuanai, a local villager.

In recent years, over 10 mediation rooms with good reputation and high prestige have been established in Dongping county, helping mediate over 650 conflicts in total. (Edited by Chen Chuxuan)

Through mediation, locals can live colorful lives in Dongping county. [Photo by Jing Fengxiang for chinadaily.com.cn]

Locals negotiate matters in a meditation room in Dongping county. [Photo by Jing Fengxiang for chinadaily.com.cn]