u=3716102645,417202567&fm=23&gp=0.jpg (Photo : www.china.org.cn)
China will mount an all-out drive to quell poverty so that future generations will not have to grapple with the difficult state, Premier Li Keqiang said during his tour of China's poorest regions in Shannxi province on Sunday.
Despite China's phenomenal growth since opening its doors to the world more than 30 years ago, the problem of poverty still afflicts parts of the nation. Poverty alleviation, according to the premier, can be likened to a thermometer that can indicate the extent of social justice as well as the state of people's welfare. Li added that it is vital to create equal opportunities for development for the less fortunate members of society.
According to the premier, poverty is more widespread in areas located in harsh natural environments. The two areas that Li visited in Shannxi province are Shangluo and Ankang, both located in a mountainous area where 1.5 million people surviving with poor living standards reside. Steps will be undertaken to relocate people in hostile environs to better locations where they will have access to public services like those enjoyed by people living in the cities, Li said.
The construction of transportation infrastructure facilities, specifically in the country's central and western provinces, will also be accelerated. The local and central governments will have a delineation of responsibilities in the country's fight against poverty, said Li. The local government will take on the responsibility of providing training, making sure standards of living are acceptable and exploring options to increase the people's income.
At present, the poverty line in China is below one dollar per day, which is below the World Banks's poverty level figure of US$ 1.25 per day.
