The Chinese government pledged on Thursday increase spending on social programs including pension and medical reform in 2009 despite pressure from the international financial crisis.

"The more difficulties we face, the greater attention we should pay to ensuring people's well-being and promoting social harmony and stability." according to a government work report to be delivered by Premier Wen Jiabao to the annual session of the parliament that will open here Thursday.

The central government plans to spend 293 billion yuan (about 42.84 billion U.S. dollars) on the social safety net this year, up 17.6 percent or 43.9 billion yuan over the estimated figure for last year, reads the report distributed to the media before the opening of the 11th National People's Congress.

"Local governments will also increase funding in this area," the report says.

The fund will help "expand coverage of social security programs" and "increase social security benefits" of the Chinese, according to the report.

Source: Xinhua