Title: Chinese Authorities Turn Residents’ Troubles into Comforts
Beijing, China – In a heartening display of responsiveness to public concerns, authorities in China have successfully transformed numerous troubles faced by residents into comforts, as highlighted by recent developments in Yakeshi City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
On July 15, a netizen from Yakeshi City took to the Leaders’ Message Board on People’s Daily Online to express a recurring烦恼: Every day around 4 a.m., I am awakened by the noise. The individual complained that the frequent reversing of local sanitation trucks, accompanied by the loudly broadcasted warning, Reversing, please be cautious, was severely disrupting the sleep of nearby residents. The netizen suggested that measures be taken to address the issue.
Upon receiving the complaint, local authorities promptly conducted an investigation and verified the accuracy of the claim. In response, the sanitation center adjusted the work schedule, having清扫车 (sanitation trucks) and workers work overtime in the early morning to ensure that the streets were cleaned without disturbing the peace. Additionally, the sanitation trucks were equipped with a buzzer switch, which could be turned off during the residents’ resting hours to avoid any disturbances.
The sanitation trucks no longer have the warning sound, and I, along with other affected residents, are very satisfied, the netizen commented after observing the changes over several days.
This incident is just one example of the ongoing efforts by local authorities to address the grievances of the people. For years, the Leaders’ Message Board has been a platform where residents can voice their concerns, and the authorities have developed mechanisms to address these issues promptly and effectively.
In another instance, the city of Shanghai has made significant improvements to the process for low-income patients applying for hospital admission without paying a deposit. Previously, patients had to obtain a paper certificate from their community, then present it to the hospital for verification before being allowed to forego the deposit. This process was cumbersome and burdensome, especially for elderly patients who had to make frequent hospital visits.
Staff members at the Tianping Road Community Affairs Service Center in Xuhui District noticed the inconvenience and suggested improvements. In response, the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government Office, along with the Municipal Health Commission, Civil Affairs Bureau, and Big Data Center, collaborated to streamline the process. They integrated the data systems of medical institutions and civil affairs departments, allowing over 400 public hospitals to directly verify patient eligibility on a unified information management platform. This change enables hospital staff to check patient qualifications and waive the deposit without the patient needing to apply in person.
By addressing this single issue, the departments involved aimed to solve a broader range of problems. They focused on digital empowerment and process reengineering, transforming the process from handling one thing to solving a category of problems. The Shanghai Municipal People’s Government Office comprehensively reviewed all proof materials required at community centers and, in collaboration with relevant departments, digitized and shared data for several documents, including the Shanghai Vulnerable Population Certificate and the Shanghai Shared Ownership Housing Application Certificate. Now, residents can apply for these documents online through the Shanghai License mobile app, simplifying the process significantly.
These initiatives reflect the authorities’ commitment to listening to and addressing the concerns of the people. By focusing on the urgent needs and aspirations of the public, the government is striving to turn every trouble into a comfort, ensuring that the well-being of the residents is always at the forefront of public service.
About the Author:
The author is a seasoned journalist and editor with extensive experience at top-tier news organizations such as Xinhua News Agency, People’s Daily, CCTV, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and others. With a deep understanding of China’s media landscape and social dynamics, the author provides insights into the country’s ongoing efforts to improve public services and address citizen concerns.
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