The third plenary session of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC), opened in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, on Jan 6. It will end on Jan 10, and a government report suggested that the city will continue to work on ten issues. 

The first issue concerns improving traffic conditions. The city authorities will thus open 15 bus routes, and will add an extra 200 buses and 1,000 bus stop benches. Thirty roads will be built, and the traffic management infrastructure of the 30 main roads in the downtown area will also be upgraded. In addition, each newly enrolled full-time college student will be given a “citizen’s manual” and a Wuhan travel card worth 100 yuan ($16.52).

The second issue concerns improving the city’s appearance. Some 265 communities and 60 primary and secondary roads will be renovated and old and damaged pavements, concerning a total of 150,000 square meters, will be repaired. In addition, the authorities will install 100 public toilets and will replace 1,026 old buses. 

The third issue concerns pensions. The basic pensions of urban and rural residents will be increased by 20 percent, 60 retirement homes will be established and another 40 will be upgraded. In addition, elderly people aged 80 and over and elderly residents who are classified as low-income will receive a government allowance. The information system of community services will be improved and services will also be expanded. 

The fourth issue focuses on improving the quality of education and healthcare services. The authorities aim to build 100 new elementary schools and to implement a subsidy system covering preschool to higher education. They will also implement a system in hospitals under municipal management which will ensure the exchange and sharing of information relating to patients between hospitals. In addition, 30 clinics will be upgraded, and families of children under the age of 6, with diseases such as leukemia or cerebral palsy, can apply for a total of 50,000 yuan to cover medical expenses and screening of newborns for a gene linked to deafness will be offered free of charge.

The fifth issue concerns the improvement of entertainment and sport facilities. Some 2,157 publications will be provided in farmers’ reading rooms. The authorities will also organize days when access to some scenic spots in the new urban district will be free, and they will also build a total of 15 fitness trails. In addition, they will distribute various equipment to 415 rural grassroots community art groups, and they will open 30 community youth sports centers and 25 fitness clubs. The authorities will also designate 35 swimming locations in the city, where primary and secondary school students can enjoy free swimming lessons for 15 days during the summer holiday. 

The sixth issue refers to efforts to support the disabled and society’s most vulnerable people. The urban and rural minimum living standard will be increased by 8 percent, and travel on the city’s buses, light rail system, the subway and ferry will be free for people with disabilities. In addition, people with mental health issues will be eligible for various subsidies, and families of 1,000 children who have listening or learning disabilities will continue to receive subsidies.

The seventh issue concerns improving residents’ lives. The city will transform 285 farmers markets and 200 community convenience stores. In addition, the authorities will grant a total of 30,000 residence permits to migrant workers. 

The eighth issue concerns improving food safety. The authorities will establish 50 small service areas with various dining facilities in key areas, such as near schools and markets, and they will check 100 key foods including bean products in markets. The authorities will also hand out manuals on food safety to 40,000 small catering units in the city.

The ninth issue concerns improving infrastructure and services in the older parts of the city. The authorities will build 100 “happy communities” and will upgrade the local infrastructure, such as roads, drainage, secondary water supply and public lighting. They will also work on the greening of 200 old communities. 

And, lastly, the tenth issue concerns rural living conditions. About 1,163 km of rural irrigation and drainage canals will be repaired. The authorities will also establish 500 village post offices, and they will also upgrade 116 canteens and 55 toilets in rural primary and secondary schools. Officials will also establish 100 waste collection and transportation demonstration projects in villages. In addition, they will also establish 10 care centers for children of parents who have left villages to work in urban areas. 

The session participants are focusing on reviewing the Wuhan Municipal People's Government Work Report, authorizing plans for 2014, analyzing the budget performance of the city in 2013 and the budgeting in 2014, examining the work report of the standing committee of the Wuhan municipal people’s congress, Wuhan intermediate people's court and Wuhan people's procuratorate, and approving the candidate list of the special committee of Wuhan’s 13th National People’s Congress.

Edited by Niva Whyman and Le Qin