A residents' dance group participates in a competition organized by the Weifanghigh-tech zone as part of its effort to enrich people's cultural lives.

The Weifang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone has carried out a broad range of 41 projects to improve residents' well-being, bringing them real benefits.

Apart from promoting residential upgrade projects, the zone's government continues to strengthen the collective economy, improve cultural life and boost the city's image in efforts to make people feel happy and safe.

Moving to new homes

For residents of the Zhongguan community, in the Xin'gang Economic Development Zone of the Weifang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, July 23 was a memorable day in their lives.

All 107 families in the community living in one-story houses moved into new multistoried buildings.

"The community administrators have helped us calculate the benefits. We can enjoy better living conditions. The new properties also have high economic value," said Zhang Liangqi, a resident of the Zhongguan community.

Apart from the Zhongguan community, residents in the Masu community in the Xinchang Economic Development Zone are also expecting to move into new apartments.

"Xinchang is far from the center of the city. There is no central water, heat or gas supply to the shantytowns in the region. We have joined hands with communities and evaluation companies to finish measuring and checking for 130 families in five communities," said Cui Zhenying, a staff member of the Xinchang Economic Development Zone. "We expect to finish infrastructure construction work at the end of this year so that the residents can move into their new homes soon."

The residence upgrade is a key project promoted by the Weifang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone's government in 2016. In the first part of the renovations, local authorities upgraded 21 shantytowns in the region, which will benefit more than 1,300 families.

Enriched cultural life

The development zone has built cultural squares, screened free movies, organized free stage performances and traditional operas and given out free books to local residents to better use public cultural resources.

Li Guizhi, 52-year-old resident of the Fenghuang community, said that the government's efforts in building cultural compounds in the city have provided practice spaces for lovers of Peking Opera.

The development zone has invested 2 million yuan ($290,554) in updating cultural facilities in the region this year. There are now 59 cultural courtyards and 86 cultural squares in the zone.

The cultural promotion department in the zone has staged more than 130 free cultural performances in communities and trading markets. More than 60,000 residents have appreciated 24 performances in large squares, including People's Square in the zone.

"We will provide better equipment so residents can enjoy quality cultural services," said Sun Huanjin, communications director of the development zone's Party working committee.

Improved environment

The development zone also launched a citywide environmental improvement project in May last year. Local authorities have added 10,000 square meters of plant life and 200,000 sq m of grassy areas to the city over the past one and a half years.

Residents have seen big changes in the city's environment this year. All street vendors are required to move into agricultural markets. The open-air barbecue stands have been replaced by ventilated indoor businesses.