1st LD Writethru: Premier Li underlines implementation of poverty-relief measures

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stressed solid implementation of poverty precision-relief measures.

Li, who chaired a State Council meeting on Tuesday, said that the measures should focus on old revolutionary base areas, ethnic minority and border areas and areas where lots of people still live in abject poverty to raise their own development capability.

The government will push forward a series of projects to ensure poverty will be eliminated by 2020 as planned, according to a statement released after the meeting.

Poor areas will be encouraged to foster businesses and develop competitive industries, such as agriculture, tourism and e-commerce. Proceeds from the exploitation of hydropower and mineral resources should benefit local residents, according to the statement.

The government expects about 30 million people nationwide will throw off poverty as local industries thrive.

China will channel more energy into rural infrastructure. More highways will be built; water conservation facilities will be reinforced; dilapidated buildings will be renovated; power grids and telecom networks will be expanded.

People living in some impoverished regions will be relocated elsewhere in an orderly manner, and the government will help them find employment in new places and ensure other necessary public services.

Basic social security in poor regions, such as care for the elderly, health care and education, will also be improved, with more policy support promised in fiscal spending, investment, financial services and land use.

The meeting also approved a five-year plan on education in poor areas. Specific measures include fiscal support, teacher training, lower fees for poor students and better vocational schools.

As of the end of 2015, China still had 55.75 million people living in poverty. The authorities have vowed to to lift all of them out of poverty by 2020. Endi