Fifth, we strengthened eco-environmental conservation and achieved new progress in Beijing's green development.

We fought continuously to keep our skies blue. To this end, we took coordinated steps to control both volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), and launched a dedicated program to control dust. We reinforced our early-warning systems for heavy air pollution and strengthened regional joint pollution prevention and control. Despite challenges such as sandy and dusty weather conditions and the post-pandemic resumption of social activities, we maintained the annual average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at 32 μg/m3, the second-best record since monitoring began.

We improved the water environment in both urban and rural areas. We refined the compensation mechanism for the environmental protection of water sources at Miyun Reservoir and Guanting Reservoir, and increased the strategic reserve of water resources. As a result, the groundwater table in the flatlands has been rising for eight consecutive years. The city's sewage disposal rate climbed to 97.3%, and the quality of surface water met national standards. In addition, the Yanqi Lake was recognized as an exemplary case of China's beautiful rivers and lakes, and the Yeya Lake Wetlands was registered on the List of Wetlands of International Importance.

We expedited the creation of large-scale green spaces. The city of Beijing as a whole met the national forest city standards, with its forest coverage reaching 44.9%. The opening of suburban green spaces such as the Nanyuan Forest Wetland Park increased the total number of parks in Beijing to 1,065. Furthermore, 62% of these parks were transformed into open parks without fences, enhancing the green landscape of a city that already boasts over a thousand parks.

We continued to advance all-round rural revitalization. In total, over 2,800 villages met the basic standards under the beautiful countryside program, and clean heating solutions were extended to 93% of villages and 96% of rural households. We strictly respected the red line of farmland protection and developed 58,000 mu (3,867 hectares) of high-standard cropland. As a result, the overall framework for the High-Tech Agricultural Z-Park has taken shape. The production of grain and vegetables increased for four consecutive years. Drawing inspiration from the Green Rural Revival Program, we launched a program to turn 100 villages into exemplary models and revitalize another 1,000. The income growth rate of rural residents surpassed that of urban citizens by two percentage points. We expanded east-west collaboration and paired-up assistance, and helped locations that received our assistance to consolidate the gains they made in poverty alleviation.

Sixth, we stayed committed to ensuring both development and security, providing an increasingly robust safeguard for the capital.

We strengthened efforts to secure workplace safety on all fronts. Taking lessons from the major fire incident at Changfeng Hospital on April 18, we swiftly conducted comprehensive inspections to identify and forestall workplace safety hazards and fire risks, and rolled out ten strict measures to strengthen workplace safety. Targeted efforts were made to tackle safety hazards associated with gas, electric bikes, and self-built houses in rural areas. We also launched Qi'an'an, a safety management information system for businesses to self-check, report and address their potential hazards. We earnestly implemented the "three musts" principle10 in safety management, and ensured accountability down to the frontline production staff. As a result, workplace-related fatal accidents and deaths fell by 4.8% and 1.8% compared with 2019.

We took decisive steps to prevent and defuse financial risks. We improved the local financial regulatory system, and completed China's inaugural pilot program for early redemption of local government special-purpose bonds. Significant progress was made in preventing and defusing risks. This includes mitigating risks in key enterprises, strengthening regulation of consumer prepaid funds and taking decisive action against illegal fundraising.

We maintained law and order. We implemented a three-year action plan to address public complaints at source. We improved the multi-dimensional and IT-supported crime prevention and control system, and fought telecom and cyber frauds, contributing to the harmony and security of our capital city. We supported the building of additional capacity in national defense and the armed forces, and further strengthened the civil air defense system. A promising start was made in the modernization of national defense mobilization, and the service and support system for veterans realized progress from basic to top quality provisions. Notable progress was made in relation to the interests of ethnic minorities, religion, and overseas Chinese.

Seventh, we devoted our utmost efforts to respond to the flash flood in July, which resulted in significant achievements in flood prevention, mitigation, and disaster relief.

We implemented preventive measures with meticulous attention to detail. Early assessments and readiness preparations were made. We took decisive action by issuing a red alert for rainstorms in advance and activating the highest level of emergency response to prepare for potential flooding. We promptly implemented the protocols of "shutting down venues, halting activities, closing spaces, and evacuating people", and successfully evacuated 542,000 construction workers and residents from the affected areas. We activated the military-civilian collaboration mechanism, and put in place command mechanisms for emergency flood response at the frontline. A flood response and rescue team consisting of over 200,000 members was deployed.

We made an all-out effort to provide disaster relief. We mobilized support from diverse sectors in response to the situation and leveraged water conservancy facilities such as Da'ning Reservoir for flood mitigation. We provided immediate assistance to 2,831 passengers and crew members on three Beijing-bound trains stranded by the flood, all of whom were safely rescued. We worked around the clock to ensure an unobstructed path for life-saving efforts, conducting search and rescue operations for those missing or trapped. Road access to 256 villages was restored at the earliest possible moment, along with water supply for 507 villages, electricity for 273 villages and telecommunication services for 342 villages. These efforts succeeded in minimizing the loss of life and property for our people.

We swiftly launched post-disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts. We ensured proper care and arrangements for 344,000 disaster victims. All 759 affected schools reopened as scheduled. Repair work on more than 10,000 units of damaged rural residential homes and 167 damaged roads was completed, with water, electricity, gas, and heating services restored to their pre-disaster levels. The autumn grain harvest was successfully secured, and the cultivation of winter wheat was maximized to the greatest feasible extent. Almost 70% of rural homestays affected reopened. With the goal of achieving basic recovery in one year, comprehensive improvement within three years, and high-quality development in the long term, we have developed a planning system to reinforce the city's disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities. Furthermore, we have actively sought support from government bond funds, and engaged help from districts in the city's flatlands through a paired assistance mechanism to pool synergy for rebuilding our beautiful home.

In the face of a disaster on a scale rarely seen in a century, General Secretary Xi Jinping showed his concern for the people and situation in the affected area by taking personal charge of the response efforts. Central government departments, central SOEs, and other municipalities, provinces, and autonomous regions quickly provided emergency assistance to Beijing. Members of the People's Liberation Army, the People's Armed Police Force, and the fire and rescue services reacted promptly to commands and flawlessly executed all their assigned missions. Party organizations and officials at all levels showed immense dedication and unflinching courage in performing their duties. The people affected by the disaster showed great resilience, ensuring their own safety and providing mutual assistance. Our citizens complied with the flood prevention measures with exceptional dedication and responsibility, extending support to those affected. In combating this formidable flood, all looked out for each other with consideration and compassion, showcasing the strength of China's socialist system in pooling resources during trying times and the solidarity and unyielding spirit of our people.

Eighth, we earnestly carried out theoretical study programs for Party members and continued to raise the efficiency and effectiveness of government services.

Following the general requirement to study Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, strengthen Party consciousness, prioritize practical efforts, and achieve substantive results, we engaged in extensive research and fact-finding activities and advanced inspection and rectification with a pragmatic approach. As a result, a number of issues were effectively addressed, meeting people's expectations and development needs.

We advanced law-based government administration on all fronts. In 2023, a total of six local regulations were submitted to Beijing Municipal People's Congress for deliberation, and eight regulations were formulated, revised or abolished. We processed 692 motions and suggestions raised by deputies to Beijing Municipal People's Congress and 1,054 proposals made by CPPCC Beijing Municipal Committee members. Legislative efforts were intensified in such areas as innovation, rural revitalization, and foreign investment. We completed tasks as required by the Eighth Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for raising public awareness of the law. We launched paired assistance programs to help districts that are relatively backward in law-based governance. We also conducted specialized training programs for personnel engaged in law-based administrative work, equipping them with greater clarity and knowledge. This has resulted in more competent and standardized law enforcement at the grassroots level.

We made consistent efforts to improve official conduct. The government continued to practice economy by cutting general, non-essential and non-obligatory expenditures by 2.39 billion yuan and reducing spending on official overseas visits, vehicles, and hospitality by 5%. The total-cost and performance-based budgeting reform were extended and cost-performance analysis was applied extensively to governments at municipal, district, and sub-district levels. All for-profit state assets are now under centralized and unified supervision and management. With a focus on tackling pointless formalities and bureaucratism, we made steady progress in further reducing the number of meetings convened and documents issued, and in easing the administrative burden on those working at the grassroots. We strengthened auditing-based oversight and oversight on fiscal and accounting operations, and completed the first round of inspections on statistical work. The government took stringent measures to improve conduct, enforce discipline, and combat corruption, with integrity and practicality as the overarching goals in its work.

Notes:

[10]This refers to a principle stipulated by China's law on production safety, clarifying the safety production responsibilities of relevant parties. It mandates that government departments responsible for industry regulation must oversee safety production work within their respective sectors and fields. At the same time, enterprise decision-makers and managers in charge of business development must oversee safety, and those responsible for production and operations must also oversee safety.