The Chinese government will expand the subsistence allowance
system to all rural poor, Premier Wen Jiabao announced at the
opening ceremony of the Fifth Session of the Tenth National
People's Congress (NPC) on Monday.
The plan is expected to bring a poverty-stricken population of
23.7 million under the social security net.
"We will set up a nationwide basic minimum cost of living
allowance system this year for rural residents, which has great and
far-reaching significance for promoting social fairness and
building a harmonious society," Wen told 2,890 NPC deputies
assembled at the Great Hall of the People.
NPC deputy Fu Qiping, a village head from Ningbo, Zhejiang
Province, said the government's decision to cover all the rural
poor under the social security net represents a "big step in
poverty alleviation for the vast rural population."
About 23.65 million rural residents living in "abject poverty"
in China by the end of 2006 with an annual per capita income less
than 683 yuan (US$87.6), according to statistics of the State
Council Leading Group of Office of Poverty Alleviation and
Development.
Premier Wen said all local governments should set reasonable
eligibility requirements to receive such allowances and a
reasonable level for allowances based on local conditions.
"Areas with financial difficulties will receive appropriate
assistance from the central government budget." Wen said.
Wu Jianmin, spokesman of the annual session of the CPPCC
National Committee that opened on March 3, said an annual funding
of six billion yuan (US$780 million) can make nationwide rural
subsistence allowance system possible, given the annual average
subsistence allowance of 300 yuan (US$39) in 2005 among pilot
areas.
(Xinhua News Agency March 5, 2007)