Poverty alleviation, meeting essential needs are 'very high' priorities: Premier

Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday that the central government is determined to prioritize the work of meeting people's essential needs and achieve the country's target in poverty alleviation this year.

Li made the remarks at a news conference following the closing of the third session of the 13th National People's Congress, the nation's top legislature.

He said that China now faces a daunting task in slashing absolute poverty. Before COVID-19 struck, there were about 5 million people living below the official poverty line. Because of the disease, some have fallen back into poverty.

China is a large developing country with a very big population, Li said, adding that though the annual per capital income is 30,000 yuan ($4,193), some 600 million people earn less than 1,000 yuan a month, which is not even enough to rent a room in medium-sized cities. But because of the COVID-19 outbreak, many families have encountered difficulties, he said.

The Premier stressed that it is a very high priority on the government work agenda to meet people's essential needs, including for those original vulnerable groups and families who have encountered new difficulties because of the outbreak.

"This year we are determined to end poverty as scheduled," he said. "This is a solid commitment made by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core to the whole of the Chinese society," he said.

Li urged government at all levels to always put people's interest first, and bear in mind the hardships and difficulties of Chinese people.

He said authorities must ensure that their policies contribute to the well-being of each family and improve the lives of people, and on that frontline authorities must make thoughtful and meticulous plans.

Li said they have decided to expand the coverage of subsistence allowance and unemployment benefits. Some 60 million people in China still live on a subsistence allowance or receive unemployment benefits or other support projects.

He announced that this year the number of beneficiaries will further rise and his office is prepared to introduce strong measures to support these vulnerable groups.

"We must use the money wisely and ensure that every cent is well spent," he said.

Some 30 million Chinese senior citizens live on a pension and for them the central government has decided to raise pensions for retirees, Li noted.

China has sufficient balance in the social security funds to ensure that pension benefits will be paid on time, which will give more hope to people about the future, he said.

Authorities must ensure that benefits and support will be provided to the respective population. That will help reassure people and help promote economic development, he added.