This latest news from the Ministry of Civil Affairs confirms that the drive for community development to cover the nation from the great metropolis to the small city has now entered a new era of all-round expansion.

The latest statistics from the Ministry show there are already 100,000 community residential committees, 500,000 cadres, 180,000 community service facilities and 450,000 community service outlets nationwide.

Community residential committees now have 360,000 full-time and 570,000 part-time employees and a further 5.4 million volunteers support their work.

In addition, 900,000 community service organisations have been established throughout the country and 29 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities have set up Community Development Leaders? Groups.

This all serves to demonstrate that significant advances are being made across the nation in the field of community development.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs released its Guidelines for National Community Development in 2001. Since then the majority of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities have brought forward schemes in line with this guidance.

Some cities have in particular actively promoted the slogan ?Create a city that is a model of Community Development.? Many examples of good practice have emerged across the nation.

Government at all levels has increased its investment in the development of community infrastructure. In order to meet the challenges of providing office space, covering administrative expenses and paying personnel, a variety of measures have been adopted. Preferential policies have been introduced, a number of different channels for finance have been found, resources have been shared and cooperative projects have been set up.

Helped by an atmosphere of cooperation, progress in community development is pushing forward, watched with great interest by society. In the cities today, community development has become the key mission. It is a hot issue in terms of public concern. It has an essential role to play in the new drive for growth in the tertiary industries.

(china.org.cn by Tang Fuchun, August 7, 2002)