Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on Friday called on local governments at all levels to intensify efforts to assist urban and rural poor people across the country, saying it concerns social stability and economic and social development.

Policies and measures should be improved to help the poor and difficult groups, and those who have been affected by natural disasters should be assured to have housing to stay, clothes to wear and meals to eat, the vice premier said at a national meeting on helping the needy.

This is especially important in winter and the Spring Festival, the Chinese lunar New Year, Hui stressed.

He also called for greater efforts to help people settle their difficulties in medical care and the education of their children.

Government-funded relief stations across the country should improve services to help the homeless people in cities, said the vice premier.

Directors of all provincial-level and some lower-level civil affairs departments shared their views and experience on the issue at the meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Source: Xinhua