The survey for 2002 shows that among 14 types of social issues that concern Beijing residents in their daily lives, 23.9 percent of the respondents chose employment and unemployment, compared with 9.9 percent in the previous year.

This brings the concern to the number one spot, up from fourth place a year ago.

The findings can be attributed to mounting pressure on employment and an increasing number of laid-off workers in Beijing.

In second place, 23.8 percent of the 2002 survey respondents expressed concern over public morals, 1.7 percentage points lower than the previous year's level.

Meanwhile, only 9.6 percent worry about law and order issues, down 16.7 percentage points from 26.3 percent a year earlier.

According to the survey, Beijing residents also pay attention to such social issues as wage incomes, education and housing.

(Xinhua News Agency January 8, 2003)