Well-being continuously improves in metropolis

Beijing delivered remarkable results in improving the quality of life for residents in 2023, ranging from employment and education to healthcare, elder care and housing, senior officials said at a recent news conference.

The city's employment situation improved last year and remained generally stable, said Wang Qingwang, director of the Beijing Human Resources and Social Security Bureau. A total of 281,000 urban jobs were added, exceeding the annual target of growing by 8 percent, and the bureau will continue to expand employment this year, Wang noted, adding that a three-year action plan will be released to support the role of business startups in boosting employment.

"It is estimated that the number of college graduates in Beijing will reach 292,000 in 2024, and their employment is a top priority for us," Wang said. In collaboration with enterprises, the bureau will endeavor to create more job opportunities for college grads and offer one-on-one help to those with economic hardships.

Data from the Beijing Education Commission showed that 35 primary and secondary schools were built or renovated in 2023, expanding the enrollment quota by 38,000. Additionally, the city made efforts to increase accessibility to quality medical resources, with the Daxing branch of Peking University First Hospital and Beijing Chaoyang Hospital's eastern branch starting operation, said Liu Juncai, director of the city's health commission.

Currently, Beijing has some 2,000 community healthcare service organizations, forming an extensive and dense medical service network for residents, Liu said. The online registration platform has covered 270 hospitals across the city, while 251 hospitals have launched internet-based diagnosis and treatment services. This year the city will step up policy support for fertility; improve child care systems and elder care services; and upgrade medical services with information technologies to enhance residents' sense of achievement and satisfaction, Liu added.

Guo Hanqiao, deputy director of Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau, said ensuring the well-being of senior residents is a significant task for which the city plans to establish a three-tier elder care service system encompassing districts, towns or streets, and communities. A total of 240 village elder care service outlets as well as 100 town-level service centers will be built in 2024, he said.

Regarding housing, Beijing's urban renewal regulations came into effect on March 1, 2023, aimed at promoting its high-quality development. The capital started 355 restoration projects of old communities throughout the year, and 183 of them have been completed, according to statistics from the Beijing Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

Additionally, 2,863 accessible facilities at residential buildings were added, along with 15,000 parking spots that were newly built or revamped.