China put a set of amended regulations into practice on
Wednesday which are aimed at providing daily care and financial
support for the country's most needy people.
The amendments expand the regulation covering the Five
Guarantees Granted to Farmers, including a regular supply of food,
clothing, housing, medical care and a proper burial.
The amended regulation brings the responsibility for aiding poor
farmers into the public financial system. It shifts the financial
burden for basic care from a fund paid by farmers to government
budgets.
"The practice turns a brand new page in China's rural social
security history," said Li Xueju, the minister of Civil Affairs, at
a meeting on implementing the regulation.
The new regulation covers senior citizens, disabled, children
under 16, and those unable to work.
Sources with the Ministry of Civil Affairs shows that by the end
of 2005, China has included 3.285 million people into Five
Guarantees, giving each 989.7 yuan (US$123.7) annually.
(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2006)