Chongqing- Respecting and protecting human rights is a significant part of China's governance. Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality has made great efforts to achieve a higher level in all aspects of life to boost people's happiness. From education and employment to medical and elderly care, it aims to tackle the people's immediate and practical concerns. 

"Dangerous house" to "new house"

Walking into the Xingjiaqiao community, Liangjiang New Area, a picture of the beautiful and harmonious life comes into view. Neat pedestrian streets, unified blue-brick-colored tiny houses, lush gardens, children run in the community, and the elderly sit under the kudzu tree to enjoy the cool.

It is hard to imagine that the previous Xingjiaqiao community was once known for its dirty and chaotic environment, leaving the residents with no choice but to move out. 

For 68-year-old Chen Chonghui, safety was the main reason for her move. "It was not safe to live here at that time. I felt I couldn't live without moving," she said. Chen lived on the top floor, and the water leakage was severe in the past. The wires and electrical switches inside and outside the house were exposed, especially during summer's peak electricity consumption period. Annoying switch trips and dangerous wire sparks splashing had become common.

Afterward, Chen's son persuaded her to move. However, she did not expect earth-shaking changes to occur in the community in just a few years. The old house was not only dressed in a "new coat," but also "refined decoration" was carried out inside. The walls were repainted, the bathroom and kitchen were entirely redone, and all kinds of exposed pipelines were replaced.

"Now, several people want to buy my house, but I don't agree," Chen laughed and said. "Such a beautiful house!" She wants to move back to live near her old neighbors and friends.

Community canteen

Every day after 11:00 a.m., the elderly living in the Bajiaowan Community, Nan'an District, enter the community canteen one after another to get a delicious meal and sit together while eating and chatting.

The canteen is not very big, but it is clean. Through the windows, you can see the busy chefs. "The dishes are different every day. The combination of meat and vegetables, balanced nutrition, and light taste are very suitable for elderly people," said a 75-year-old Diao Zhongrong. Diao and her husband are both regular customers of the canteen who used to have a set of two meat dishes and one vegetable dish for 10 yuan. 

"The portions are large, and the prices are affordable," Diao said. The community canteen also offers reduced prices for those seniors over 60 who can get a discount of three yuan. Recently, the canteen offered to charge 500 yuan and gain 80 yuan free, which is even more cost-effective.

The community canteen also makes young people feel at ease who often work outside. "I usually worry that my parents are too tired to buy and cook or that they don't eat well or fresh enough," said a young resident Yang Qian. After the community canteen was built, her mother could walk there to get the meal in five minutes, which greatly reassured Yang.

Another community canteen in Yanghe garden, Jiangbei District, provides dine-in meals and delivery services for the surrounding residents. The fresh and clean vegetable delivery services are included. "The elderly can not only come here to eat but also buy semi-finished products and make them at home, which is simple and convenient," said the competent representative of the community. 

Besides, the canteen also invites professional nutritionists to scientifically match the elderly with care packages to achieve a suitable combination of meat and vegetable nutrition. 

(Wang Lu, as an intern, also contributed to this report.)