China helped three million people in rural areas out of poverty in 2004, the largest number over the past four years, said a high ranking official on Monday.

There are still 26 million people living under poverty line in the vast rural areas, who have inadequate food and clothing, and the central government will continue its effort on poverty reduction, said Chen Xiwen, deputy director of the Office of the Central Financial Work Leading Group, at a press conference.

The central government will continue increasing capital investment on poverty reduction in rural areas, support the development of some large agricultural product firms which play a leading role in helping rural people find jobs, according to the newly-issued No.1 document set forth by the central government on Sunday.

According to the document, local governments are also required to enhance investment, especially which on farmer's professional training, in rural areas, said Chen.

The Chinese Communist Party Central Committee and the State Council issued the No. 1 Document to further improve work in rural areas and enhance overall agricultural production capacity on Sunday, which is regarded as the sign post on agricultural work for the governments of all levels this year.

(Xinhua News Agency February 1, 2005)