BEIJING - A national service center to provide better services and safeguard veteran's welfare formally started operation in Beijing Tuesday.

The service center is mainly responsible for helping veterans find jobs or start businesses, providing preferential treatment and assistance, as well as arranging visits to ex-servicemen, said an official with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

As a key component of the veterans' service and security system, it also undertakes work such as dealing with petition letters and visits of veterans, in addition to safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests.

Such service centers and stations at local levels will be established nationwide.