Profile: Zhang Dejiang: ‘Power should not be aloof from public supervision’ (3)

In this file photo taken on Jan. 30, 2013, Zhang Dejiang (R) meets with Brunei's Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Lim Jock Seng in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY

"I'll not leave until the water in the Nenjiang River retreats to a safe level," said Zhang as he was directing flood control and relief work in northeast China's Jilin Province in 1998.

The summer floods of 1998, the worst up to that time since 1954 on the Yangtze River in central China and the most devastating flood ever in northeast China, shocked the government and the people at the time.

People still remember the image of Zhang boarding a motorboat to visit flood-stricken residents in a village in Zhenlai County, Jilin, when he was the province's Party secretary.

When major disasters occurred, Zhang, as Party chief of provincial-level regions, would set out for a disaster site immediately to oversee rescue operations.

Zhang also showed his concern for the people by attending to issues concerning their livelihood, such as employment and social security, during the last five years when he served as vice premier of the State Council, where he was in charge of employment, social security and other important sectors.

On several occasions, Zhang reiterated that getting college graduates employed was a key task and efforts should also be made to help migrant workers from rural areas and disadvantaged groups to find jobs.

Based on extensive research, the State Council introduced a series of policies and measures to promote employment.

Meanwhile, Zhang put special emphasis on vocational training for laborers.

"An entire household could be lifted out of poverty with one family member finishing schooling or getting employed," he said.

Zhang advocated the building of a modern and life-long education system as well as a vocational training system covering all laborers so as to tap human resources in a comprehensive way.

Zhang has attached great importance to the development of the private economy and stressed the importance of a sound policy environment for the sector's development.

"This is not a makeshift plan. Instead, it is a strategic policy," he said.

"The private economy will grow vigorously as long as we provide it with suitable soil and sunshine," he said.

When he worked at the State Council, Zhang actively pushed for building a new-type rural pension system and a pension system for urban residents. Now, the systems cover almost all parts of China.

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