Local residents say their lives continue to see improvements

Local residents in Pingtan said their lives have continued to improve since the county in Fujian province initiated a 120-day program in September to boost the economy and enhance people's living conditions.

Chen Shanguang, a senior Party official in Pingtan, said it was a positive development that was solving the concerns of residents and further enhancing public services.

Officials said that in September and October, Pingtan completed projects, among them the first-phase of the new Fujian Polytechnic of Information Technology, as well as a kindergarten, and several other projects were started including a sports park.

The polytechnic's Pingtan campus officially opened on Oct 9 and welcomed its first 1,200 students.

"Although construction of the school is not finished, the facilities are excellent, which provide us with a good learning environment," said Fan Qiuying, a junior student.

The new facility is the first higher learning institution in Pingtan, which has landmark significance, the Fujian Daily reported. The tourism and digital creativity schools took the lead in entering the campus, as they are prioritized industries in Pingtan.

Wang Xingzhong, vice-president of the polytechnic, said all the faculties will move to the campus by next September, when it will be home to about 9,000 students.

The institution will supply professionals for Pingtan's industrial development and help to increase the region's ability to innovate, Wang said.

Pingtan recently released an implementation plan to improve the lives of its residents and it aims to expedite key related projects. Priority fields include education, healthcare, culture and sports, as well as provisions for the elderly.

In September, Qilin Primary School opened. Officials said its facilities have been equipped according to provincial-level standards and it comprises seven buildings that can house some 48 classrooms and 2,160 students. The initial enrollment consisted of almost 700 students.

"The team of teachers currently numbers more than 30 and we will strive to use quality teaching resources and keep improving the quality of education," said Lin Xiaoshan, president of the school.

Pingtan has long had shortcomings in education due to a lack of teachers. Since the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone was set up in 2010, it has integrated and improved educational resources and built several public kindergartens.

Elsewhere, the Fujian Normal University Affiliated High School in Pingtan, which opened last year, is able to access quality provincial resources.

Local officials said this kind of developments not only helped local people enjoy better education resources, but also provided better education for the increasing numbers of migrants who have come to work and start a business in Pingtan.

The region is also focusing on improving its healthcare services. Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, based in Pingtan, and the Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Area Hospital have integrated their resources, allowing residents to enjoy nearby provincial-level medical services.

Representatives from the latter said Fujian Medical University Union Hospital appoints experts - according to needs of patients - from different departments to diagnose and treat difficult diseases and perform major operations in Pingtan.

(China Daily 12/18/2018 page6)