Zuo Huanchen, professor of anatomy at the Medical College of
Shanghai
Fudan
University and member of the China Peasants and Workers
Democratic Party, recently talked about her views on China's fight
against urban poverty. Zuo is attending the Second Session of the
10th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC),
where she submitted a proposal for dealing with this problem.
Zuo said that with the deepening of the market economy, China's
social economy has made great headway and urbanization continues to
speed ahead. At the same time, however, the problem of urban
poverty is inevitable, with the impoverished population in cities
trending upward overall.
This rise in the number of poor is caused by a number of
factors, stated Zuo, but the existence of poverty creates a trap
for urban development. It has a severe impact on social equality,
retards the social development process and tarnishes
achievements.
Urban poverty can lead to a "social melt-down." It increases the
risk of social turmoil and probably contributes to the development
of antisocial forces, said Zuo.
Zuo held that China's urban poverty relief system and policies
require further improvement in several areas. These include
assessment technology and systems; comprehensive relief programs;
and fair and effective methods of implementation.
New circumstances and a new level of development mean that
changes are needed in social relief policies. Zuo's proposal for
dealing with urban poverty suggests some of these.
Zuo recommends establishing a comprehensive urban social relief
system that guarantees a minimum standard of living, medical care
and education. An efficient system, she said, will help to prevent
deaths from hunger, disease, exposure and despondency, while
promoting social equality.
A social relief system related to employment should be created,
and all levels of government should have full understanding of the
connection between employment and social relief. A work relief
program would enhance community service organizations, providing
the manpower to undertake such jobs as caring for the elderly.
Additionally, incentives could be offered to enterprises that
employ the needy.
(China.org.cn by Li Jingrong, March 10, 2004)
