We have always directed our innovation at the needs of patients and pioneered in the area of medical research. Innovation requires investment, but the right environment is even more important. PLA General Hospital has set aside 20 million yuan (US$2.7 million) to pay for R&D and an evaluation system. We have also created a series of incentives and established partnerships with eight overseas hospitals.

Qin Yinhe, president of People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital

It used to be that when our village Party branch held a meeting, a couple of members would show up and would read some documents. Now, all 91 members are like 91 banners, full of vitality. We invite experts to speak on technical topics on farming. There are exchanges and discussions. There are one-to-one help sessions between Party members and the masses. The support our Party branch gets lies in the partnership between economic activities and Party activities.

Xu Tingyong, Party secretary of Puhua community, Qianjiang District, Chongqing Municipality

The core of a harmonious society is the emphasis on people's livelihoods. That requires us to go all out to solve problems in these areas. In the near future, we will keep our focus on employment and social welfare. Educating the children of the urban poor and migrant workers is a top priority.

We have, from the beginning of this year, abolished all boarding fees for children of migrant workers, and allocated 100 yuan (US$13) to each of them in junior high. Starting next year, these children will get the same amount of per-capita public investment in education as regular students.

Li Jun, Party secretary, Guiyang, Guizhou Province

Everyone is entitled to a basic standard of living and basic medical service. This is the goal set forth in the report of the 17th Party congress. We Communists must serve the people wholeheartedly so that we can make our people and our nation wealthier and stronger. Scientific development means the public benefits from it.

Wu Renbao, Party secretary of Huaxi Village, Jiangsu Province, the per-capita assets of which exceed 1 million yuan (US$133,000)

What China is doing right now is building a harmonious society at home and a harmonious world outside. In my mind, harmony means equal opportunities of development, whether you are an Asian, European or African.

Xu Benyu, a 25-year-old volunteer who worked as a teacher first in a poor mountainous village in China and then in Zimbabwe

After hearing Comrade Hu's report, I feel more pressure on my shoulders. In recent years, everything here has been developing fast, be it infrastructure or culture and education. But we are far from the goal of scientific development. It is a new challenge to have "sustainable growth".

He Xueqing, Party secretary of Guyuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region

(China Daily October 19, 2007)