The Chinese government is preparing to increase poverty alleviation efforts across the country.

To raise awareness about the campaign, the State Council held a national poverty alleviation working conference in northwest China's city of Xi'an from Monday to Wednesday.

At the meeting, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu said bringing China's poverty-stricken population of 29 million out of financial strife by 2010 will be a difficult task.

He asked local governments to improve working and living conditions in rural areas, promote the development of job skills for Chinese farmers, and support local enterprises to increase farmers' incomes.

(CRI November 4, 2004)