Poverty Alleviation Still Arduous in China

Vice premier Hui Liangyu on Monday said the Chinese government is determined to reduce poverty and improve people's livelihoods.

Hui made the remarks while delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2011 Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum.

The Chinese government will aim to ensure all its citizens can afford adequate food and clothing while enjoying compulsory education, basic medicare and housing security by 2020, he said.

Over the past 10 years, China has implemented the development-oriented Poverty Reduction Program for Rural China (2001-2010), which has lifted many people out of poverty, said Hui.

But the country still faces an arduous task in poverty alleviation, as deep-rooted problems that have limited the development of poor areas still exist, he added.

To meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, all countries should further boost international cooperation, with developed countries and developing ones working together to achieve mutual benefits, said Hui.

The forum, which marks the 19th International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, was jointly held by China's State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development and the UN System in China and attracted policymakers and scholars from around the world.

Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu (C) delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2011 Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2011. The forum was held to mark the 19th International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on Monday. [Xinhua]