Grassroots governance extends reach to win trust, address widespread issues

Residents' participation

Similar activities are conducted in Fenglingbei, another grassroots community in Nanning, which is home to over 30,000 people from 20 ethnic groups.

Apart from psychological and legal aid services, Fenglingbei also hosts educational health events and runs an art troupe that has been performing for 18 years.

Huang Jingyu, 78, has lived in Fenglingbei community since 2006. As the art troupe's deputy head, she has dedicated much of her time to it, even after temporarily stepping down in 2016 due to cancer.

Over the years, with community support, the art troupe has grown from a small group to a 50-member team, that includes an instrument band, a waist-drum team, and a dance team. They frequently perform across Guangxi.

Huang believes that the art troupe meets the physical and recreational needs of middle-aged and elderly residents and fosters harmonious neighborly relationships.

"Through interactions in the art troupe, everyone gets along better. If conflicts arise, they're handled more rationally and politely," she said.

Huang views her involvement as both a hobby and a mission. "I'm honored to have everyone's recognition," she said.

Qi Xiaohong, 55, who has lived in Fenglingbei for seven years, is also a beneficiary of community activities.

She learned the Heimlich maneuver, the first aid skill to help someone who is choking, at a health knowledge lecture organized by the community. The training helped her save her husband's life in 2020.

Huang Lihua, deputy secretary of the Fenglingbei community Party committee believes grassroots work requires residents' active participation to make a bigger difference.

The community currently has 11 volunteer service teams with about 1,300 resident members.

"On one hand, we encourage residents with specific skills such as calligraphy or art to contribute to the community," she said. "On the other hand, residents should not only focus on their own interests, but also collectively maintain our community as a big family."