The county's 17th Party Congress report provided a comprehensive and forward-looking summary of the past five years' achievements while mapping out a strategic blueprint for future development. It specifically highlighted the need to align with the public's aspirations for a better life by establishing a population service system that covers the entire life cycle, ensuring that development outcomes are tangible and people-centered. This directive has set a clear direction for civil affairs work in the new era.
Tang Zhengshan, Party Secretary and Director of the County Civil Affairs Bureau, stated in a recent interview that the bureau will thoroughly implement the Party Congress's directives, focusing on high-quality development as the core theme and deepening civil affairs reforms as the driving force. The goal is to build a civil affairs system characterized by warmth, happiness, service, benevolence, and reliability.
Where to Begin
The first priority is enhancing targeted support by expanding and improving the efficiency of social assistance. This involves upgrading the tiered and classified assistance system, aligning regular support policies for low-income populations with anti-poverty return prevention measures, and refining the identification and assistance policies for four categories of low-income individuals. The focus will be on integrating assistance resources, precisely matching needs, increasing service supply, and strengthening safety-net capabilities. A systematic service-based assistance list will be developed, establishing an operational framework that transitions from single-material aid to a comprehensive model combining material support and services.
The second priority focuses on diversifying the elderly care service system through multi-channel supply. The county will deepen its role as a national pilot for innovative county-level elderly care systems, promoting coordinated development of the elderly care industry and sector. A service network integrating home-based, community, and institutional care, while combining medical care with health maintenance, will be refined. Efforts will include strengthening rural regional elderly care service centers, reforming the operational management of township nursing homes, and developing urban embedded and rural mutual-aid elderly care models tailored to local conditions. Sustainable operation of meal assistance services for the elderly will be promoted, alongside diverse care models. The silver-haired advisory system will be improved, smart elderly care services expanded, and home adaptations for aging populations advanced. Age-friendly communities will be developed, and the wellness tourism industry for retirees cultivated. Grassroots elderly social organizations will be strengthened, with universities for older adults hosting silver-age activities to empower seniors to remain productive and engaged.
The third priority is strengthening child welfare services and protection capabilities. The system for identifying and ensuring support for children in difficult circumstances will be improved, expanding service coverage from specific groups to a broader child population. Continuous attention will be paid to the emotional well-being and development of these children, leveraging the professional expertise of child-focused social organizations. Renovation and expansion of minor protection workstations will be undertaken, exploring professionally operated models through government procurement of services. Care for orphans and children de facto without guardians will be enhanced, along with protection for left-behind children, care for migrant children, and rescue and protection for homeless minors.
The fourth priority is advancing social affairs through reform and empowerment. Standards for upgrading centralized burial sites and building new public cemeteries will be formulated, with continued development of public burial service facilities. Pilot upgrades of centralized burial sites will address gaps in burial services. Daily oversight of funeral service institutions will be tightened, standardizing fee practices and strictly implementing transparency in fee items, standards, and services with public scrutiny. Provincial reform outcomes on funeral customs will be deepened, consolidating achievements in rectifying illegal graves and oversized tombs, while strengthening routine inspections of centralized burial sites. Green and civilized funeral concepts will be widely promoted to ensure long-term, effective management. Subsidies for disabled individuals will be precisely distributed, community-based rehabilitation service systems for mental disorders advanced, and resource integration and policy coordination strengthened. Collaborative efforts with relevant departments will build a comprehensive care service system for disabled persons.
The final priority is promoting the healthy and orderly development of social organizations by uniting social forces. Annual inspections and evaluation systems will be implemented, with routine clearance of inactive organizations. Development of organizations focused on elderly services, culture and sports, and public charity will be prioritized. Community-based social organizations will be encouraged to recruit social work professionals, and development of rural community social organizations accelerated. A culture of charity will be cultivated, broadly encouraging social participation in philanthropic activities. Charitable fundraising will aim to grow 5%-10% annually from the previous year's baseline, improving fund utilization rates and achieving effective linkage with social assistance programs.