China to lift over 10 mln people out of poverty in 2018

China will further reduce the poor rural population by over 10 million, including 2.8 million people who are to be relocated from inhospitable areas, Premier Li Keqiang said Monday. 

A farmer hangs lanterns in a village in Chongqing municipality on February 9, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

Poverty alleviation efforts will be carried on through the development of local industries, education, and healthcare, Li said when delivering a government work report at the annual parliamentary session.

China will do more to support areas affected by extreme poverty, and the central budget's newly enlarged poverty reduction funds and related transfer payments will be weighted toward these areas. 

Li said that China will tailor measures to individuals and individual households to ensure that targeted poor populations, including elderly people, people with disabilities, and people with serious diseases, receive the assistance they need. 

Poverty relief policies will remain unchanged for those already lifted out of poverty while the battle goes on, and the newly poor and those who slip back into poverty will receive prompt support, he said.

The premier promised targeted measures against corruption and misconduct in poverty alleviation. 

China will continue to apply the current poverty alleviation standards and ensure that poverty reduction progresses as planned and meets all standards, he said.