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Roundup: Full Granary Ensures People Being Well-off
During the Spring and Autumn Period (770-446 B.C.), a politician named Guan Zhong had a famous saying, "When the granaries are full, men will appreciate rites and obligations."
He meant that only when people are kept fed and warm, will they consider social development.
Guan Zhong's words can only come true nowadays. By the end of Ninth Five Year Period (1996-2000), Chinese people have basically realized their long-cherished dream -- to lead well-off life.
The average Gross Domestic Product (GDP) surpassed 800 U.S. dollars in 2000, increasing 5.7 percent annually, according to the latest statistics from National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The rise in income has had great influence on consumer behavior. The category of commodities for people in cities and towns has expanded continuously. The average expenditure was 4,998 yuan in 2000, up 41.3 percent than that of 1995.
As people increase their living standards, the proportion of food consumption to expenditures dropped below 40 percent last year.
Meanwhile, people pay more attention to the nutrition and convenience of the food. Instant food, "green" food and healthy food have come into being. In 2000, people spent 288 yuan to dine out of home on average, up 78.9 percent than that of 1995.
During the Ninth Five Year Period, the purchase of garments has rose steadily to 500 yuan last year. People like to demonstrate their individuality by their wearing, thus giving rise to the popularity of many famous brand names.
The expenditure on housing and cars has long been regarded as a symbol of economic progress. In 2000 there are 5.1 cars for per in 1,000 households. More than 77 percent people have their own houses.
As more Chinese move into new houses, the electrical appliances have been upgraded in the past five years. The number of color TV sets, refrigerators and washing machines being bought are amazing, while microwaves, air conditioners, and computers flocked into ordinary homes.
People from cities and towns are more concerned about their health. The average medical expense was 318 yuan last year, up 23. 7 percent annually.
The expense on education per capita reached 364 yuan, up 3.8 percentage points compared with 1995. Higher education enlarges enrollment by 10,000 annually to students annually.
The transportation and telecommunication have remarkably changed people's lives. Over 80 percent households have installed telephones, while 19.5 mobiles are owned by one hundred people on average.
Besides bank savings, Chinese people preferred to buy stocks, treasuries, and T-bonds. Meanwhile, China has bridged the gap between incomes by implementing taxation measures.
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