Towns urged to offer better public services

China's central authorities have issued a document calling for improved public services at the township level.

Township-level officials said the document outlines their duties more specifically, and the preferential policies it includes, such as making promotions and subsidies more achievable, will increase motivation among grassroots officials.

The document was issued on Monday by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.

It lists a series of public services that township-level governments should provide, including quality education with suitable teaching environments; better training and vocational opportunities for rural residents; and basic social services for special groups, including the disabled, migrant workers and children living in poverty.

The document also calls on township governments to implement national insurance policies and improve public health services. Ancient villages of great historic and cultural value should be properly protected and developed, it states, adding that township governments should also improve their services in areas such as environmental protection, food safety and juvenile protection.

It also calls for preferential policies for township officials, such as making promotions and subsidies more achievable, to attract talent to work in townships. Although some officials may not be promoted, their salary can still be increased to the level of a deputy township head or even higher after a certain number of years, according to the document.

"I have never seen such detailed requirements for public services offered by township governments. There are a lot of requirements, but it gives us a specific scope and will make it easier for us to carry out our work," said Wang Zusheng, head of Nangang township in Hefei, capital of Anhui province.

There are more than 50 public servants in Nangang township government and only two of them hold posts of township head level. "Most officials remain in their posts for their whole life without being promoted. But now, they could still see their salary increase, without being promoted, which will make them more motivated in their work," Wang said.

The document also encourages farmers' cooperative organizations of various forms, including specialized cooperatives and joint-stock cooperatives, to be established in rural areas.

Gao Jian, head of Dawei township in Hefei's Baohe district, said she welcomes the initiative to encourage cooperative organizations.

"The model for cooperative organizations was brought into our township several years ago. Farmers can become shareholders of dozens of cooperatives in our township using funds or their farmland. Cooperative organizations have greatly improved the efficiency of agricultural production," Gao said.

The document also calls on local governments to give full pay to social work professionals in public services and to buy public services from social organizations.