1st LD: Xi highlights "Four Comprehensives" in reform drive

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called for the country's deepening reform to be carried out based on the "Four Comprehensives", his new political mantras.

Speaking at the 11th meeting of the central reform leading group, Xi called on authorities to "show courage and guts" in reform.

The meeting deliberated and approved a plan to support rural teachers over the next five years and guidelines on reforming urban public hospitals.

Leaders attending the meeting noted that remote and poor areas in the middle and west of China presented the biggest challenges in modernizing education.

They stressed the importance of every child receiving equal education so as to stop poverty spreading to the next generation.

Means of increasing the number of good teachers in poor areas include improving teachers' political and moral awareness, increasing their income, and persuading urban teachers to work in rural schools, they agreed.

The leaders also urged a deepening of reform in public hospitals. Public hospitals should be operated for the public good, instead of seeking profits, and the service should be accessible, equal and beneficial for the people, they said.

They believe better healthcare administration is needed, particularly in the area of medical insurance and medical workers' salaries. Endi