Shenzhen is advancing its urban cultural development plans. These aim to prioritize people’s interests, to enhance people’s creativity, to develop respect for people’s rights, and to develop people’s interests in the city. Shenzhen residents enjoy increasing cultural and welfare rights. The city government has improved the city’s public cultural infrastructure. It has launched various cultural campaigns to develop civic amenities for city residents. For example, the “Shenzhen Reading Month” has been welcomed by city residents, helping them to realize their cultural rights and satisfying their spiritual needs also. Project Care is launched every year in Shenzhen to encourage city residents to help underprivileged and needy people. Shenzhen’s urban civilization index and city residents’ Project Care index have increased year by year. Shenzhen has won the “National Model City for Supporting the Amy and Cherishing the People” award over the past three consecutive years. In 2005, the city was chosen as one of “China’s Top 10 Civilized Cities.”
Voluntary Workers
Shenzhen has more than 200 charity organizations, including organizations involved in voluntary work. More than 530,000 people have been involved in voluntary work of different types. Established in 1990, the Shenzhen Volunteers’ Association is the oldest voluntary work organization in China. Currently its youngest member is only 14 years old and the oldest 78. They engage in providing more than 30 service items in 16 categories. “Seeking volunteers’ help when you are in trouble; doing voluntary work when you have time” has become a catchphrase amongst Shenzhen residents.
