IMPROVED WELL-BEING
China will advance institutional social reforms this year, covering old-age pensions, public hospitals and healthcare. More efforts will be made to boost employment, increase people's income, eliminate poverty and reduce disparities in urban-rural development.
In the fight against poverty, China has set a goal for over 10 million people to be lifted out of poverty in 2018. The government will pay more attention to rural areas and give more support to areas affected by extreme poverty.
According to the cabinet restructuring plan, a new ministry to push forward the development of the agricultural sector and rural areas will be formed.
"The move can incorporate resources in rural areas and those related to agriculture, and it favors further reforms in rural areas and can help solve problems related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers," said Lei Yanqin, an NPC deputy and also a township head from Jiangxi Province.
"Reforms in rural areas will bring more opportunities to rural residents and increase their income," Lei said.
Reforms in education, culture and sports are also under way.
Many places in China are still confronted with unbalanced educational development. To solve the problem, the government plans to promote the integrated development of urban and rural compulsory education, and will continue to weigh funding for education toward poor areas and weak links.
China also plans to merge the Ministry of Culture and National Tourism Administration into a ministry of culture and tourism.
The move is aimed at coordinating the development of the cultural and tourism industries, enhancing the country's soft power and cultural influence, and promoting cultural exchanges internationally, State Councilor Wang Yong said.
"The reform and opening up that started 40 years ago has created miracles in China. It has not only stimulated China's economy, but has also strengthened relations between China and the world. It has also injected vitality into the country's social development," said Huang Lihui, an NPC deputy.
As a private entrepreneur, Huang said he is looking forward to seeing continuous deepening of reform in all respects and more preferential policies toward the private economy.
