Under the general background of deepening reform and promoting innovation of social governance，China is in the midst of a critical period that its social structures are being deeply transformed，interest patterns of all social classes are being adjusted and profound changes are happening to the thoughts of the public. Therefore，it is necessary to understand the overall ideas and value expectations of the public toward social development. Besides，there is a need to explore factors（e.g. status，forms and wills）of people’s participation in social governance and their impacts upon performance in innovation of social governance. After the survey，it has been discovered that the highest expectations of the general public toward the development of country and society are clean government，efficient administration，developed economy，a strong nation with wealthy people，stable public security and social harmony. It is better for a country to focus on reform and construction for people’s livelihood，in order to practically improve people’s living standards. Promote social construction relys on the power of multiple subjects，including government，society and the public. The survey has discovered that the masses’ concerns about major issues and conflicts of modern society are mainly related to housing，medical treatment and gap between the rich and the poor. To solve these problems，it is necessary to stimulate social vitality and enhance public participation.