Social welfare largely improved in Pingyao county

China's economy has entered a new phase with slower growth but more emphasis given to social welfare, and, in view of this, Pingyao county, Shanxi province has been improving its social welfare as one of its major goals and will soon be holding its annual economy conference and will discuss input in social welfare and improving the system.

Even during a time of financial stress, the county is still looking for ways to improve it through public medical care, sanitation, education, security and other methods that accounted for a little over 60 percent of the budget in 2014. And many locals say they sense the improvements.

Other examples of social welfare are the number of school buildings and school residence halls as part of the education infrastructure, four new homes and 18 care centers for the elderly in the rural parts of the county, greater clean-up work across the county for a better landscape, 90 million yuan ($14.4 million) spent on 72 km of rural highways, 600 old houses completely rebuilt, a rural medical system that covers more than 98 percent of the people with 115 million yuan in funding, and 35 villages with digital TV systems.

Spending on social welfare has increased annually and this year the focus will be on people with low incomes, employment, and poverty relief, to meet central government standards.