China progresses in promoting well-being,democracy

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2012-11-01 21:49

BEIJING - The ruling Communist Party of China's arduous and steady moves to promote people's well-being and democracy over the past ten years have proved fruitful.

The decade following the 16th CPC National Congress in 2002 saw the fastest growth of resident's income since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

China established a social security net covering urban and rural residents, intensified reform of its education, healthcare systems, and continued to improve the scheme of providing affordable housing for low-income earners.

Meanwhile, great achievements were made in boosting democracy.

In a landmark move, "protection of human rights" was incorporated into China's constitution in 2004, demonstrating the country's determination to better safeguard people's rights.

Four years later, a regulation on government information disclosure was introduced to increase public access to official information, facilitating people's supervision over governments.

In 2011, 98 central government departments for the first time made public their spending on dining, travels and vehicles. These expenditures, which used to be kept from people, were often blamed as major areas for extravagance of tax-payers' money.

This year, microblogging accounts of government organs totalled more than 80,000, providing a bridge for communication between officials and the people.

Furthermore, CPC Central Committee General Secretary Hu Jintao in a key speech delivered on July 23 urged efforts to make sure people can enjoy their rights to the full.

China under the leadership of the CPC has made great achievements in promoting both people's well-being and democracy. The country's coordinated efforts for the dual goals produced a reciprocal effect.

By listening to the will of the people and striving to meet their expectations, the authorities translated reform and development plans to improved livelihoods of the masses.

Meanwhile, the country continued to innovate practices and systems to ensure that people's legal rights could be better realized as the country's economic transformation fuelled more demands among citizens.

However, it should be fully understood that each task concerning people's well-being is a "world-class" one in China, given the country's huge population and weak economic foundation. To promote democracy is the same, both arduous and complicated.

China should spare no effort in advancing people's well-being and democracy, and meanwhile all the reform and development steps should be made in a down-to-earth manner and based on its own circumstances.

Under the leadership of the CPC, China will go forward boldly into a better future in terms of people's livelihood and democracy.