The Chinese government is preparing to increase poverty
alleviation efforts across the country.
To raise awareness about the campaign, the State Council held a
national poverty alleviation working conference in northwest
China's city of Xi'an from Monday to Wednesday.
At the meeting, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu said bringing China's
poverty-stricken population of 29 million out of financial strife
by 2010 will be a difficult task.
He asked local governments to improve working and living
conditions in rural areas, promote the development of job skills
for Chinese farmers, and support local enterprises to increase
farmers' incomes.
(CRI November 4, 2004)