Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu has told local governments to take care of poverty-stricken people and those affected by natural disasters ahead of the Chinese New Year.

On a recent visit to northwest China's Gansu Province, Hui toured the region of Dingxi, one of the most underdeveloped regions in China.

He checked families' crop storage and food supplies for the Spring Festival. He also acknowledged the development of potato production.

In drought-hit Jingyuan County, Hui inspected the village water supply facilities and encouraged the people to overcome difficulties and minimize losses through their own efforts.

"If we are to build a harmonious society we need to pay great attention to people's quality of life and support the development of rural regions," Hui said, urging local authorities to allocate food, clothing and accommodation for needy people.

Particular care should be given to the elderly, children and wives of migrant workers, Hui noted. Disabled people should be given more respect and assistance, he added.

"We must do our best to lift people in poor regions out of poverty, solve the issues that most affect the people and implement disaster-relief and poverty-assistance policies at grassroots level so that people of all ethnic backgrounds can enjoy the fruits of reform and opening-up," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency February 7, 2007)