The Beijing municipal government has mapped out a plan to boost public services, and will also set and oversee standards of services, said Wen Qingyun, an official with the municipal bureau of civil affairs.

The public service development plan for 2006-2010, unveiled early this week, is a "grassroots" scheme which outlines the government's commitment to various aspects of citizens' lives, including employment, social security, health, culture and security.

"Nothing is trivial about people's daily lives, and the government's involvement is justified and necessary," said Nie Zhida, deputy director of the bureau.

For the first time, the municipal government's plan includes domestic and property management services and covers areas as diverse as baby-sitting and garbage collection fees.

The city plans to build 18 domestic service training centers, and introduce certification and rating requirements.

In addition, the government will provide guidelines for property management standards and charges, which often incur dispute between property owners and service providers.

According to the plan, the government will provide free training to the unemployed and create 120,000 community posts each year.

Meanwhile, more than 3,000 health service stations will be built by 2008 to ensure every resident, in both urban and rural areas, has access to timely medical services.

The plan provides for cultural, sports and entertainment facilities for every community in Beijing. Sixty percent of communities will have theaters that can screen 100 films a year for residents.

As for security, Beijing will have 50,000 full-time security patrollers by 2010, and over 300,000 if part-time personnel are included.

Beijing will invest 85.1 billion yuan (US$10.8 billion) in improving its public service facilities in the next five years, according to an earlier report.

The municipal government will invest 30.4 billion yuan (US$3.8 billion) and another 54.7 billion yuan (US$6.9 billion) will come from other sources, the plan said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2006)