Pingtan residents say their lives continue to see improvements

Local residents in Pingtan said their lives have continued to improve since the county in Fujian province initiated a 120-day program in September to boost the economy and enhance people's living conditions.

Chen Shanguang, a senior Party official in Pingtan, said it was a positive development that was solving the concerns of residents and further enhancing public services.

Officials said that in September and October, Pingtan completed projects, among them the first-phase of the new Fujian Polytechnic of Information Technology, as well as a kindergarten, and several other projects were started including a sports park.

The polytechnic's Pingtan campus officially opened on Oct 9 and welcomed its first 1,200 students.

"Although construction of the school is not finished, the facilities are excellent, which provide us with a good learning environment," said Fan Qiuying, a junior student.

The new facility is the first higher learning institution in Pingtan, which has landmark significance, the Fujian Daily reported. The tourism and digital creativity schools took the lead in entering the campus, as they are prioritized industries in Pingtan.

Wang Xingzhong, vice-president of the polytechnic, said all the faculties will move to the campus by next September, when it will be home to about 9,000 students.

The institution will supply professionals for Pingtan's industrial development and help to increase the region's ability to innovate, Wang said.

Pingtan recently released an implementation plan to improve the lives of its residents and it aims to expedite key related projects. Priority fields include education, healthcare, culture and sports, as well as provisions for the elderly.