TNAG-2293-FCO40-3305-Official-visits-from-Hong-Kong-to-China-1991 — Page 77

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5.

Flexibility in the

implementation

of

policies

centrally formulated by the Ministry was stressed.

Policies and plans only served as "guidelines" and their

application to different districts would be subject to the

respective

local

needs

(因地制宜,分類指導)

and

economic situation.

General Services

6.

Decentralization

and

'care by the community'

1 + 1/241) + + 1⁄2 10) were advocated. (社会福利社会事

Local governments,

enterprises and the community at large (street-level or

block-level communities) were encouraged to play a more

active role in providing services, both administratively

and financially. The difference with the Soviet system,

where the state provided all services, was emphasised. The

principles of self-finance

mutual-help

responsible

(自盈雇

) and

were highlighted. The local governments were

macro-issues such as water-supply and

)

for

housing etc. while micro-level welfare (小福利

should be left to the community through mutual help. An

example of mutual help was quoted : in Tianjin, there was

a

"Mutual

Block"

(

团

結互助樓

) with about 80

families, in which residents with specific skills provided

free services to each other on a mutual-help basis.