Ensure and improve rural people's livelihoods

by S. C.

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang said that the basic health-care system should be provided as a public service to the people to ensure and improve people's livelihoods.
Li made the remarks during a meeting on deepening the reform of the health-care system, stressing that the public health-care system should be conducted for public good and urging the gradual establishment of a basic health-care system to cover all Chinese citizens.
The reform of the health-care system is a social systematic project, which is time-consuming, challenging and complicated, he said. By 2020, China should have a basic health-care system that covers urban and rural residents, Li pointed out.
Li also said that reforms should be carried out in five areas, including providing universal access to basic health insurance, introducing an essential medicine system, improving primary healthcare facilities, offering equitable access to basic public health services and establishing pilot reform of state-run hospitals.

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang also called to improve road conditions in rural areas, stabilize agriculture and increase farmers' income.
He made the remarks during his inspection tour in central Henan Province, a major agricultural production area.
"To improve road conditions in rural areas would help to stimulate domestic demands, and ease pressures of agricultural industry," he said.
He also urged to ensure road quality, and put in place funds that are used to improve road conditions.