From same-day ultrasound scans and warm meals at community canteens to a groundbreaking legal cost insurance system for the vulnerable, Karamay in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region has been boosting resident well-being through a range of smart, practical initiatives.

In recent years, guided by a people-centered development philosophy, Karamay has been ensuring that the fruits of reform and high-quality development produce tangible benefits for its residents.

Enhanced services

"It's so fast now. I got the referral and the final report all in one morning," said a patient surnamed Li, holding up her newly printed ultrasound report at Karamay Central Hospital of Xinjiang. She commended the hospital for its highly efficient service.

According to the hospital, it has cut the average waiting time for ultrasound scans from 1.65 days to just half a day this year by streamlining the appointment and diagnostic procedures. The introduction of advanced technologies, including an artificial intelligence-assisted diagnostic imaging system, an orthopedic surgical robot, and a smart drug-dispensing system, has also made medical services more convenient, more precise and more efficient.

Beyond healthcare, a similar digital and quality-focused transformation is reshaping education in Karamay. In local schools, AI teaching assistants and smart blackboards have become classroom staples, fostering more proactive and immersive learning. By the end of February, Karamay's schools had created 96 distinctive school-based curricula. In 2024, the city became only the second at the prefecture level in China to have all its districts pass the national assessment for high-quality, balanced compulsory education.

Assured happiness

"Life has become so much easier since the community canteen opened," said a resident surnamed Huang in Hongshan community, as she presented a banner of appreciation to the Shengli Road subdistrict office recently.

As part of its broader strategy to support the elderly, Karamay has bolstered its at-home and community care services, building a"15-minute senior care circle". By the end of August, the city had established 23 community canteens and 78 meal assistance stations, significantly enhancing the quality of life for its senior citizens. In addition, services include a monthly allowance for all registered residents aged 70 and above, with amounts ranging from 100 yuan ($14) for those aged 70-79 and 500 yuan for those aged 90-99 to 800 yuan for centenarians.

In conjunction with these social services, a robust legal framework acts as another pillar of public welfare. A prime example is the "private legal cost insurance" system, which enabled resident Zhang Aixiang last May to obtain free legal aid and win over 130,000 yuan in compensation at no personal cost.

Initiated by Karamay, the system operates on a model where individuals can purchase the insurance voluntarily, while the government covers the cost for qualifying vulnerable groups, such as low-income residents and migrant workers. Over the past decade, when a policyholder becomes involved in litigation or arbitration, the insurance company covers legal expenses, including court fees and attorney costs. Eligible individuals need only apply at a legal aid center to access these services at no charge.

By the end of 2024, the Karamay city government had allocated 13.5 million yuan to purchase this insurance for vulnerable groups, benefiting more than 90,000 people annually. This year, the initiative was recognized as a model of integrating the rule of law with public service, and it received the seventh China Law-based Government Award.

Tangible progress

The renovation of old residential districts is a critical well-being initiative in Karamay. By the end of 2024, upgrades in the city had been completed across 102 such districts, encompassing 2,859 buildings and benefiting 79,997 households. These efforts have improved the quality and livability of these neighborhoods, leading to a steady rise in resident satisfaction.

According to local officials, Karamay implements a long-standing annual program dedicated to 10 key public well-being initiatives. These projects, which cover areas such as the renovation of old residential districts, the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, and the construction of geriatric hospitals, are announced each year at a news conference. A notable feature of the program is its 100 percent track record, with all projects being completed within the year they are announced.

In communities across Karamay, it is now common for residents to turn to AI assistant "Xiao Ke" to inquire about policies on healthcare, employment, and pensions. The AI assistant has become a go-to resource for everyday information.

The AI assistant operates through neighborhood and community centers as its primary base. Residents can ask questions via voice or text on topics ranging from policy to dispute mediation, receiving either an instant solution or a transfer to a worker. It also handles numerous government service procedures, boosting the efficiency and quality of community services.

To modernize community-level governance, Karamay has taken measures such as promoting a "multi-role system" that eliminates job barriers, enabling social workers to handle a wide range of tasks, and introducing the AI assistant "Xiao Ke" to provide digital support. Now deployed across all 125 subdistrict and community centers, the AI application has improved resident satisfaction and laid a solid foundation for Karamay's smart governance initiatives, local officials said.

Karamay continues to take firm strides on the path of improving the lives of its residents. Each project and statistic in the city's portfolio of initiatives is living proof of its people-oriented development strategy. This directly translates into greater well-being for residents, marking a steady climb in the quality of life for the people of Karamay.