Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

Zhuhai's 40-year history since Reform & Opening-up has been a balanced development process focusing strongly on medicine and healthcare, social security and education, as well as on constantly improving the quality of basic public services, Zhuhai Daily reported on Dec 17.

Here is a quick review of Zhuhai's pioneering efforts in these fields over the past 40 years.

• April, 1987: The Zhuhai government promulgated and implemented the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of Nine-Year Compulsory Education in Zhuhai City.

• 1991: Zhuhai achieved universal nine-year compulsory education.

• 1993: Zhuhai issued the Social Insurance Regulations for Employees in the Zhuhai Special Economic Zone, Guangdong Province, a first-of-its-kind document in China.

• 2002: Zhuhai took the lead in establishing medical insurance for major illnesses for migrant workers.

• 2007: Zhuhai became the first city in China to offer 12-year free education, exempting primary and secondary school students from tuition and fees, as well as tuition for high-school students.

• 2013: Zhuhai took the lead in establishing supplementary medical insurance for all insured persons.

• July 1, 2016: The Zhuhai Basic Medical Insurance Measures were officially implemented.

• 2018: The Zhuhai municipal government issued the Implementation Plan for Promoting the Reform and Development of Urban and Rural Compulsory Education Integration in the Region.

Zhuhai City Polytechnic in Jinwan District [Photo by Zeng Yao / Zhuhai Daily]