China's central authorities will continue to send staff to aid poverty relief efforts in designated areas.

Chinese Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu made the remarks at a meeting for summing up experience in such efforts, which was attended by representatives of 272 departments of the central government.

Under this project, which started in 1986, functionaries dispatched to backward areas are asked to adopt various measures to help lift local people out of poverty.

Hui Liangyu said direct involvement of the central authorities constitutes an important component of the Chinese-style poverty-relief work. He urged departments of the central authorities to attach greater importance to poverty-relief work in their designated areas and make further efforts to address the basic needs of the poor population.

(CRI July 16, 2004)