Equalization of Basic Public Services

The government should provide members of the society with basic public goods and services that are compatible with the level of economic and social development and can reflect the principles of fairness and justice, so as to equalize the most basic conditions for people's survival and development. China’s strategy for promoting equalization of basic public services originated from the “Coordinated development of urban and rural areas” proposed in the Report of the 16th CPC National Congress in 2002. In 2006, the 6th Plenary Session of the 16th CPC Central Committee clearly proposed the strategic task of “basically achieving equalization of public services”. In 2007, the 17th CPC National Congress further called for “pushing forward the equalization of basic public services and the construction of main functional areas, and improving the public financial system”. In 2012, the 18th CPC National Congress included “improving people’s living standards in an all-round way and generally achieving equalization of basic public services” as one of the goals of building a well-off society in an all-round way and comprehensively deepening Reform and Opening-up.Starting from the actual situation in China, the contents of equalization of basic public services mainly include: Firstly, basic livelihood services, such as employment services, social assistance, old-age security, etc.; Secondly, public service services, such as public education, public health, public culture, etc.; Thirdly, public welfare basic services, such as public facilities, ecological maintenance, environmental protection, etc.; Fourthly, public security services, such as social security, production safety, consumer safety, national defense security, etc. Only by satisfying the needs of these basic public services can all members of society enjoy the fruits of reform, opening up, and social development.

The ideas to achieve equalization of basic public services are: (1) Improve supply capacity. Providing public services is the most basic function of government. In promoting equalization of basic public services, governments at all levels act as core subjects and bear the unshirkable primary responsibility. Avoid the "pan-marketization" caused by improper marketization of basic public services supply; strive to distribute the funds of local government transfer payments fairly; promote the democratization and scientificization of public service policy formulation and implementation.

Improve service capabilities. To promote the equalization of basic public services, we must not only attach importance to improving the government's capability to provide basic public services, but also enhancing the ability of the public to enjoy basic public services. For example, (a) raising awareness and improving the public's ability to choose public services; (b) increasing employment and improving the disadvantaged groups’ purchasing power of public services.

(3) Improve the quality. At present, the quality of urban and rural residents in enjoying basic public services is uneven. The government should consider the centralized utilization of existing basic public service resources in rural areas. In the long run, the government may also consider improving the equalization of basic public services by accelerating urbanization.

(4) Improve satisfaction. So far, the government’s performance self-evaluation is relatively complete, but the public evaluation system on government public services has not been established. Establishing and improving public evaluation system on public services can not only restrict and guide the behaviors of the public sector, but also help improve the efficiency and quality of basic public services. Promoting the equalization of basic public services has an important role and significance in narrowing the gap between urban and rural areas, achieving coordinated economic and social development, building a socialist harmonious society, and advancing the modernization of the national governance system and governance capabilities. Its position at the national strategic level has been continuously elevated.