Around 80 percent of fiscal expenditures of the Qidong government in the first nine months of this year are spent improving people's livelihoods. [Photo/WeChat account: qdrmt0513]

Qidong, a county-level city administered by Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province, had a GDP of 100.49 billion yuan ($15.72 billion) in the first nine months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 9.4 percent.

The revenue in the general public budget reached 6.38 billion yuan, ranking first in Nantong. The disposable incomes of urban and rural residents were 41,886 yuan and 22,857 yuan, up 11.2 percent and 12 percent, respectively.

Education is important to people's livelihoods. The second phase of the Xuehua campus of Qidong Huilong Primary School, with an investment of 107 million yuan and covering three hectares, has had its main structure completed. It is scheduled to begin operating in September 2022, alleviating enrollment problems in compulsory education in the northeast part of Qidong's main urban area.

Disadvantaged groups have always been the main concern of the government. In July, the city once again raised salvation standards for people eligible for subsistence allowances in urban and rural areas, disabled people affected by poverty, and orphans, to further improve their quality of life.

To improve elderly home care, Qidong carried out a senior-friendly renovation project for 1,100 struggling families with advanced aged or incapable or severely disabled elders. Handrails, gas and fire alarm devices, anti-skid treatment on the ground were among the projects.

This year, the city has also strengthened the construction of primary-level medical and health facilities to improve people's experiences at the doctor's office and the efficiency of medical services at primary-level medical institutes.