Vice Premier Hui Liangyu called for better protection of the disabled in Beijing on Thursday.

Hui, also the State Council Working Committee on Disability chairman, stressed at a committee work conference that efforts should be made to ensure disabled persons can share in the fruits of the nation's economic and social development.

"The past five years have witnessed huge progress in China's protection of the disabled. This marks the time period during which China's disabled have benefited the most from the country's development."

He urged government departments concerned to strengthen their efforts to improve the livelihood of China's disabled, and build a harmonious society where the disabled are respected and taken good care of.

"Local governments should offer schooling opportunities for the disabled, provide medication to the sick ones among the disabled, and financial help to the needy ones."

He also called for improving current laws and regulations to better protect the disabled in the country.

China has about 83 million disabled, accounting for 6.34 percent of the population. More than 75 percent of the disabled live in rural areas.

(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2008)