China's central authorities have ordered localities to ensure a
pleasant, peaceful, harmonious and stable life for the people
during the upcoming holidays for the New Year and the Chinese
traditional Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 7 this coming
year.
A circular to this effect was jointly published on Wednesday by
the General Offices of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central
Committee and of the State Council.
In China, it has been a routine practice to issue such a
circular prior to the New Year and Spring Festival holidays, but
this year, the circular gives top priority to public life and
social harmony.
The circular urges Party committees, governments and leading
officials at all levels to attach greater importance to improving
the people's life and promoting social harmony. It also urges these
committees and officials to help the masses deal with outstanding
problems they have encountered in production and life, especially
those who urgently need assistance to resolve their
difficulties.
It urges localities to mainly comfort retired or handicapped
veterans and families of people in the armed services or martyrs,
as well as aged "model workers," advanced workers and retirees. It
also gives priority to impoverished rural families and low-income
or unemployed urban residents.
The issue of delayed payment for migrant workers from the
countryside is mentioned in the circular.
It orders relevant departments to ensure sufficient supplies of
water, power, oil, gas and heating, as well as commodities and
services, during the coming holidays.
Meanwhile, the authorities pledged to crack down on illegal
activities that are harmful to the operation of markets and the
supply of safe food, medicine and catering, as well as on
pornography and gambling.
It emphasizes the importance of preventing accidents and urges
relevant authorities to discover hidden problems and dangers in
different industries, transportation and tourist and recreational
sites.
It bans extravagant activities by officials and orders officials
not to accept cash and valuables under any pretext.
(Xinhua News Agency December 27, 2007)