The Chinese government has set major poverty reduction objectives for the 2006-2010 period, including more efforts to help the poor in the countryside obtain sufficient food and clothing.

The major tasks set at the executive meeting of the State Council, China's cabinet, cover easier access to radio and television programs, roads, electricity supply, drinking water, medical services and nine-year compulsory education for the needy and poor in rural areas.

At the meeting, which was presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday, the participants approved a draft regulation on licensing the use of water and collecting water resources fees to promote conservation and rational utilization of water resources.

The regulation will be promulgated by the State Council after further revisions.

On poverty reduction, the government will help enhance the capabilities of the rural labor force and provide necessary relief and assistance to the incapacitated in the countryside.

The government will build more infrastructure to improve the rural people's living and working conditions, and develop businesses to increase farmers' income.

China's reform and opening policy adopted in the late 1970s has helped increase the income of most people in the country and the poor population has been cut by about 200 million to less than 30 million.

Also discussed at the meeting was the improvement of the working conditions of police and judicial organs at village and township levels.

A total of 7.4 billion yuan (913 million U.S. dollars) will be spent for this purpose in the central and western parts of the country.

Source: Xinhua