Xinghua in East China's Jiangsu province has set out development goals for people's livelihood in its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), aiming to make welfare more equitable, balanced, inclusive, and accessible by 2030.
Stadium facilities in Xinghua. [Photo/WeChat account: xinghuafabu]
The plan focuses on achieving national model status for universal preschool education and integrated medical and elderly care, as well as adding one provincial-level key clinical specialty.
To facilitate employment, Xinghua plans to create jobs in stainless steel, healthy food, casting, crab farming, and agritourism sectors. The city is committed to aligning vocational training with industry needs, upgrading its city-town-village grassroots employment service platforms, and improving the functions of odd-jobs markets and employment service stations.
In addition, the city is set to introduce free preschool education and build township boarding schools, with Zhangguo Boarding Primary School as a key project. It also aims to consolidate small-scale schools and establish nine-year schools, while promoting teacher rotation and digital learning.
The plan also includes improving its traditional Chinese medicine hospital, establishing a Grade 3 maternal and child health hospital, the highest-level health institution in China with strong research capabilities, and applying artificial intelligence across the medical system. Meanwhile, the city intends to host various sports events and improve sports facilities and policies to promote public fitness.
Furthermore, Xinghua is focusing on introducing childbirth subsidies, insurance, maternity leave, and childcare services. The city is also committed to raising basic pensions for urban and rural residents, and expanding coverage of enterprise annuities and private pensions.