Q: How did the district government develop the idea of the ongoing "1,000 Civil Servants Help 1,000 Residents" program?

　　A: As a traditional industrial district, Yangpu has experienced significant changes in recent years because of a restructuring of the locally based state-owned companies. As a result, many workers lost their jobs. Currently, there are about 80,000 jobless people in Yangpu, among which nearly 58,000 are under the average social security insurance level.

　　On one hand, we should keep on accelerating the overall development of the district, as it is the only way to create a better life for residents.

　　On the other hand, we should also carry out several practical events each year that are closely related to their personal interests. The "1,000 Civil Servants Help 1,000 Residents" program is the first such event that we kicked off this year.

　　Q: Can you briefly introduce the program?

　　A: Government employees need to realize that they are the servants of the people. Through the program, we hope to strengthen that consciousness in their mind. We are not in a superior position but we have the responsibility to help people who are in trouble.

　　To date, about 1,050 civil servants have joined the program. As the Chinese New Year draws near, they are on hand to help more than 1,000 residents in the district whose living conditions are below average and bring them holiday's greetings.

　　For example, government workers have donated money to help those residents' daily lives as well as to subsidize their children's educational fee.

　　We also request the employees record what they have done in the program in their annual work report. This will be an important part of the officials' proficiency assessment process.

　　Q: How do government officials share the responsibilities in the new year?

　　A: All Yangpu government offices are supposed to help residents in different aspects. The Civil Affairs Bureau selects families suffering from the biggest financial disadvantages and distributes subsidies to them before the holiday.

　　Free medical treatment will also be given to some families in need.

　　The Labor and Social Security Bureau distributes subsidies to some 1,305 laid-off workers in the district.

　　Officials from the bureau will supervise the basic salary line in companies in the district to ensure each worker receives a fair pay. The companies are also asked to create more jobs, mostly related to public interests, for the unemployed.

　　Officials from the Federation of Trade Unions, as the representatives of workers in the district, are supposed to donate one day's salary to help those in need last Wednesday.

　　In addition, the district's Disabled People's Association, Red Cross and Women's Association all share various responsibilities in helping handicapped people, orphans and troubled women in the district.

　　Q: What are other 'practical events' that the Yangpu government has undertaken recently?

　　A: Several undertakings have recently been conducted in connection with people's daily life.

　　For instance, government officials visited markets in the district. So far, 57 markets have signed contracts with the government to ensure the safety of food sold there. Stalls without certification are banned.

　　We have also set up a hot line for residents to report illegal trading to the authorities.

　　Other than that, the district government has invested 500,000 yuan on the renovation and improvement of public bathrooms. In the near future, all public bathrooms in Yangpu will have to operate with a standard certification under the policy of "Safe, Clean, Economical, Convenient."

　　Q: It is evident that helping people in need accounts for a major part of the Yangpu District's government work. What is your work ethic?

　　A:As I have said, as civil servants, we should view offering aid to people as our mission. We expect that what we have done could help them see hope in the future and make their hopes come true.

　　To be a qualified government official, you need to be a good person first. And to be a good person, you need to have a beautiful heart first.

　　Only when we all have such a beautiful heart and are willing to offer help will people in turn approve and believe in us and the government as well.