CRI News Reports:China to Spend More on Improving People's Livelihood

China is to invest more in developing agriculture, education, medical services and social security systems this year. The rises will range between a considerable 24 to 45 percent.

China's Finance Minister Xie Xuren announced the numbers at a press conference alongside the annual session of the National People's Congress.

"For this year's budget planning, we are going to stress on improving people's livelihood. We will adjust and optimize our fiscal expenditure structure, increase investment in agricultural and educational sectors, and improve medical services as well as the social security network. "

In 2008, China will invest 563 billion yuan, or 80 billion U.S. dollars in promoting agricultural development. This will complement a year-on-year rise of 30 percent. These funds will mainly be used to increase subsidies and provide training courses for farmers whilst also renewing farm machinery.

156 billion yuan, or more than 22 billion U.S. dollars will be spent on education, an increase of 45 percent on last year's spending. Xie Xuren says that China will continue to promote free compulsory education and improve education conditions in remote and rural areas.

83 billion yuan, or 12 billion U.S. dollars, will be spent on strengthening China's public medical service system and promoting health care reform.

And 276 billion yuan, or 40 billion U.S. dollars, will be dedicated to improving the social security network, which includes setting up a minimum social security system in rural areas and improving urban citizens' living standards.