Profile: 74-yr-old CPC member dedicated to community service

FUZHOU, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Five decades after she began her career as a community worker in Fuzhou City in east China's Fujian Province, Lin Dan remains committed to serving the local residents with undiminished enthusiasm.

"If you put in your all, you'll be able to do the job to everyone's satisfaction," said Lin, 74, who was elected as a delegate to the upcoming 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and is a recipient of the July 1 Medal, the highest honor in the Party.

Lin, who is also the Party chief of the Junmen Community, initiated the residents' talkfest to strengthen community governance.

These meetings, held around the 10th of every month, are joined by lawmakers, political advisors, government officials and resident representatives.

Issues ranging from individual household problems to public safety and infrastructure development of the neighborhood are discussed here.

For instance, electric vehicle owners in the community once faced a dearth of charging piles. After delegates reached a consensus on the number and location of charging piles during a talkfest, it took only three days to build additional piles in the area.

Jiang Wanfang, a local resident, shed light on a similar instance of efficient community governance by recounting how the problem of water shortage was fixed.

"We used to experience frequent water supply outages in the building I live in. The issue was discussed at the talkfest and the community representatives negotiated with the water supply company to solve the problem," Jiang said.

To ensure the well-being of the elderly and children, Lin and her fellow community workers established a community canteen for the elderly, a childcare center and a retirement home, making the community a warm and inclusive abode.

Lin comes to the elderly canteen at 11 a.m. every weekday to help those who have difficulty in moving freely.

There are more than 1,200 people aged 60 and above in Junmen. Some of them live alone and find it hard to cook on their own. The community canteen has not only relieved the elderly of the burden of cooking but also made it possible for them to eat a meal with two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes for just 10 yuan (1.4 U.S. dollars).

After wrapping up her work at the canteen, Lin goes to the childcare center. The center provides children with weekday meals and homework support at a monthly cost of 880 yuan per child.

"I will always strive to enhance community services and continue to work in the interest of the Party and the people," Lin said.