‘Social harmony, stability constitute China’s leading characteristics’

Beijing(China)—How is China’s present situation and what will be the development trend in next year? The relevant social problems in China are given an interpretation and forecast in the blue paper titled “2007: Situation Analysis and Prediction of Chinese Society”. The paper, done jointly by research institutes of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and university experts, was published by the CASS on December 25.
Survey findings: about 90% of urban and rural residents are optimistic about China’s socio-economic situation. Data support: From March to July, 2006, the CASS, by taking a strict, scientific social surveying method, carried out a “national sample survey on social harmony and stability” across the country, and it has so far collected 7,061 valid questionnaires from more than 7,140 urban and rural households in 28 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities nationwide.
About 83.4% of those polled “relatively agree” or “very much agree” to the question that “some problems emerging in China’s current social development are only temporary ones”; about 91.6% “relatively agree” or “very much agree” to the judgment that the “Party and the government is capable of governing the country well”; 88.9% “relatively agree” or “very much agree” that they “take pride in China’s international status”; around 90.5% “relatively agree” or “very much agree” that “the overall situation in China’s economic and social development is very good.”
Experts’ explanation: Professor Li Peilin, chief editor of the blue paper and president of the Institute of Sociology of the CASS, said China has witnessed a high growth rate with its peak growth period already sustaining for six to seven years. This has never happened since its reform and opening up started in the late 1970s and the early 1980s. Most economists and sociologists unanimously hold that a relatively high growth speed will be retained in Chinese economy next year, he added.
Survey findings: about three-quarters of the urban and rural residents acknowledge social harmony and stability in the present stage of Chinese society, which represent the leading characteristics of the current social situation in China. Data support: According to the national sample survey on “social harmony and stability”, some 74.9% of China’s urban and rural residents consider China “very harmonious” or “relatively harmonious”, and around 75.8% regard the present stage of Chinese society as “relatively stable” or “very stable”.
Experts’ explanation: Prof. Li Peilin noted that people’s recognition of social harmony and stability is relevant very closely to the improvement of their livelihood. With more improved livelihood,, the people incline to think more of today’s society as harmonious and stable. Consequently, people deem that the constant improvement of people’s living standards is a crucial foundation for building a harmonious society. In 2007, the construction of a harmonious socialist society will be unfolded in an all-round way. China is implementing a range of measures to expand social education, health care, social distribution, public services, and so on, which will bring a new look to the entire society. Social security constitutes a top concern of the general public Survey findings: in year 2006, “social security” issue replaced “the issue of being laid-off” as the primary social issue of concern to both urban and rural residents.

—Daily Mail, People’s Daily news exchange item