City leaders offer New Year greetings to the needy

Shanghai Party chief Han Zheng, Yang Xiong, the city's mayor, and other city authorities visited residents living on government subsistence allowances in 17 counties and districts of the city this week, offering Chinese Lunar New Year greetings to the needy people.

Yang Xiong visited some sick and laid-off workers in their 50s, and some senior residents living on their own in Pudong district. He said the district government should be thoughtful in helping needy people solve their difficulties.

"The Party and the government officials should put the people's needs in their hearts, constantly improve the government's social assistance program, and mobilize private investors to participate in social welfare causes, so as to let the poor people feel the warmth of society," said Han.

Han visited a residential community in Yangpu district, expressed his appreciation to the social workers, who mainly help people not yet covered by the government's assistance program.

"I am happy that I can use my knowledge in social work to help others," Wu Liu, a college student in his 20s and a volunteer social worker in the community, told Han. "China needs more social workers."

"Social work is very important for good governance in Shanghai, and the social worker is an honorable job, and the government will encourage more people to participate in the meaningful cause," Han replied.

Han also visited a couple of veterans in the community, who, though disabled, always are ready to help others.

In his visit to Huangpu district, where the stampede that occurred on Dec 31 killed 35 people, Han stressed that public security is the bottom line of government's work. He said civil servants must fulfill their legal responsibilities to people and improve their work to better serve them.

"Shanghai must enhance its city-management level to fit the fast development of the city," Han said. "The officials should end empty talks and have a strong awareness of the unexpected dangers threatening public security."

Huangpu district is Shanghai's core region. Han encouraged the district government to pay more attention to develop high-end service industries such as trade, finance and innovation, and to protect the historical construction of shantytowns undergoing renovation.

liyang@chinadaily.com.cn