China Review:

The service guarantee system now basically covers all retired military personnel. Are there any plans to improve this service guarantee system? How will "veteran service officers" play their role in guaranteeing the service of veterans?

Ma Feixiong:

Thanks for your question. The veterans' service guarantee system is one of the three priorities of our work. By asking this question, I can see that you have a good understanding of veteran affairs. The guarantee system is constantly improving. I would like to ask my colleague Liang Jingge, director general of the Department of Ideology and Rights Protection at the MVA, to answer your questions.

Liang Jingge:

With our continuous efforts over more than three years, almost all the ex-service members have been covered by the veteran service and support system. As such, we will adhere to the working philosophy of "delivering timely services and ensuring better guarantees" to push forward the veteran service and support system to a higher level. First, we will consolidate the foundation of veteran service institutions in five aspects, including the establishment of institutions, permanent staffing, regular staff members, sufficient funds, and guaranteed support. We will further implement the important guiding principle of General Secretary Xi Jinping by working in line with the requirements for the five aspects that serve all veterans and verify the construction and running status of veteran service centers and stations at all levels in a comprehensive way to keep advancing our work. Second, we will strengthen our team capacity building. We will take action to improve veteran service centers and station teams' capacity and quality, guiding and helping their staff members to strengthen their vocational study and improve their ability to perform their duties. Third, we will upgrade our service modes. To show our respect to veterans, we have pushed forward service modes such as agent service, one-stop service, internet plus service, and service without the need for a second trip. More than 600,000 veteran service institutions can now be reached on Amap and Baidu Map navigation apps, which offers veterans more convenient high-quality, and efficient services. Fourth, we will strengthen vocational construction. We will study and formulate the national vocational skill standards for personnel who manage veteran affairs, do a good job in compiling teaching materials, and develop question banks and other supporting work. On the basis of carrying out pilot schemes, we will gradually expand training to the whole system so as to build a professional team which has excellent vocational skills, is familiar with specialized knowledge and competent in practical tasks.

Veteran affairs officer is a new profession established for the first time in China and designed to provide services and guarantees for ex-servicemen. The setting of this profession is of great significance for improving the construction of a quality and efficient veteran service and support system and also promote the long-term and sound development of our cause. It will substantially raise the social awareness, recognition, and credibility of veteran affairs officers, support them to enhance their confidence and sense of professional belonging, and play a role in stabilizing and expanding our team. Meanwhile, going forward, we will establish a working mechanism of normalized training and scientific assessment procedures, open up the channel of career development for relevant personnel, and make our services and support work more professional and standardized. Thank you.