BEIJING — China's centrally-administered state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have pledged to provide 3.2 billion yuan (about $457.14 million) of funds to 246 designated poor counties this year, 692 million yuan more than last year.

The central SOEs have long been committed to helping poor counties shake off poverty, according to the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council. Partly due to their continuous efforts, 142 of the 246 designated poor counties have been removed from the country's list of the poorest places.

Amid the nationwide fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak, the central SOEs have donated massive medical supplies and funds to poor areas, according to the commission.

The enterprises will do everything possible to help poor regions solve the difficulties arising in the resumption of production, sales of agricultural products and spring plowing and try their best to prevent residents from returning to poverty or becoming poor due to the epidemic, it said.