In Midwest China, the first basic social security system for rural people has been launched in Changsha city in Central China's Hunan province. It aims to guarantee the basic living standards of more than 180 thousand farmers.

Peng Heming is just one of them.

"I feel really excited at the news because for me as a man in his sixties, it is very important to have social security to rely on."

Farmers without savings, skills or family to get financial support are the special targets of the newly-established social security system.

Wu Renhua an official responsible for social security work in Changsha city says this social security system is quite different from past temporary relief.

"The system guarantees the long-term life support of poor people. Through two to three years of effort, we want to establish a comprehensive social security system including a guarantee of basic living standards, social relief and housing services."

(CRI.com January 15, 2005)