The State Council has approved a plan for advancing the community service system in urban and rural areas during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), according to a circular issued by the General Office of the State Council on Jan 21.

China’s shift to high-quality development has created sound conditions for addressing imbalanced and insufficient development of community services, which are closely related to people’s livelihoods, the circular said.

The plan envisions an improved community service system attracting more service providers and more diverse services, and better integrating online and offline services by the end of 2025, to give people a greater sense of gain, happiness and security while addressing their concerns.

Community services should develop with the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the circular said, emphasizing the need to establish and improve the Party building joint conference mechanism.

Community services require participation from multiple stakeholders, including community-level Party organizations, grassroots autonomous organizations, and private sectors.

Communities should be able to offer basic public services, especially for the elderly, children and people with disabilities, and when conditions permit, set up facilities for parcel deliveries, recycling, catering and retail, among other functions, to improve the quality of life for both urban and rural residents.

Service infrastructure built in new communities should follow set standards, including the space standard for commerce and comprehensive service facilities.

In addition, measures should be enhanced targeting safety management in crowded places and emergency preparedness, alongside support from community public security committees.

Policies designed to enhance community services should be implemented in a coordinated manner, and one-stop services should be promoted, the circular said. The national integrated administrative service platform, as well as Internet Plus government services, should cover communities with higher efficiency, it added.

Community services should be digitalized, developing online services for elderly care, housekeeping and childcare, among others, and introducing intelligent equipment for property management and security.

The circular also urged boosting services with qualified community workers and strengthening training.