China News Service:

Fujian has promoted the community-based care project for the elderly by providing them meal services and holding lectures. I've heard that senior citizens can dine, learn and entertain themselves at these venues, and that the concept has become very popular. Could you please provide specific details? Additionally, what other measures has Fujian implemented to improve people's well-being? Thank you.

Zhao Long:

Thank you for your interest in Fujian. I will answer this question. In his 2024 New Year message, General Secretary Xi Jinping said, "Our goal is both inspiring and simple. Ultimately, it is about delivering a better life for the people. " On the eve of the Spring Festival in 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping, talking via video link with elderly people at a social welfare home in Fuzhou, stated, "Whether a society is a happy one or not, it is very important to see whether the elderly are enjoying a happy life. "

China's aging population is on the rise. In Fujian, individuals aged 60 or above account for 19.3% of the province's total population, which means that Fujian has transitioned into a moderately aging society. In response, we have taken a series of measures, such as establishing "canteens and schools for elderly people." Launched in 2019, the program aims to integrate community resources and expand services to address challenges faced by the elderly, such as difficulties in buying groceries, cooking and having meals. Fujian is now home to over 3,000 community canteens for the elderly, providing service for more than 150,000 people daily. This initiative has been included in the annual program for the benefit of people by the provincial committee and provincial government. Some canteens have expanded their services beyond meals to include activities such as calligraphy practice, music appreciation, dance classes, social gatherings, conversation and card games. These recreational activities are enjoyed by the elderly, contributing to their happiness, health and well-being in their later years.

Next, we will continue to focus on ensuring and improving people's livelihoods, addressing not only the question of quantity but also reinforcing the quality. We aim to transform people's aspirations for a better life into reality.

First, we will prioritize employment for key groups. This year, we will strive to achieve an increase of over 500,000 jobs within urban areas. Currently, our province faces significant structural contradictions in employment, particularly in the shortage of skilled professionals. To address this issue, we will collaborate with universities and enterprises, enhance supportive policies and strengthen vocational skills training. This will help meet the demands for high-quality talent in enterprises and cultivate a larger pool of highly skilled professionals.

Second, we will ensure to provide education that is satisfactory to the people. We will promote the expansion and improvement of basic education. This year, as part of our practical initiatives, we have planned to renovate and expand 150 public kindergartens and create an additional 40,000 public primary and secondary school slots. This means that more high-quality schools close to people's homes. Furthermore, we will further enhance vocational education and strengthen higher education institutions.

Third, we will promote the decentralization of high-quality medical resources to the local level. In recent years, we have supplemented and trained over 7,000 local medical personnel in counties and villages. We will continue to enhance the capacity of primary healthcare services, establish eight national regional medical centers and 13 provincial-level regional medical centers, and strengthen the pairing between tertiary hospitals at both the provincial and municipal levels and 25 relatively weaker county-level hospitals. Additionally, we will deepen the implementation of policies such as requiring medical personnel to serve at the grassroots level before they can be promoted to professional titles, aiming to ensure that small hospitals have more competent doctors and better facilities. Our goal is to address common and prevalent diseases in cities and counties and to provide solutions for minor ailments in rural areas.

In conclusion, when it comes to people's livelihoods, there are no small matters and there are numerous aspects to consider. As long as it is a matter that concerns the common people, we will spare no effort in handling the concerns and strive to achieve their satisfaction. That's all I have to say for now. Thank you all.