Premier Li Keqiang called for more efforts to implement social assistance policies and better help people in need in an instruction on Aug 27.

Premier Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in an instruction on social assistance work on Aug 27. A video conference on implementing a directive on reforming and improving the country’s social assistance system was held in Beijing on the same day.

In the instruction, Premier Li said that social assistance is an essential system for helping those in need, and an important part of ensuring stability on six fronts and security in six areas. It’s a matter of people’s basic livelihood, and showcases a caring society.

Local governments and relevant departments should ensure the implementation of various social assistance policies and measures, learn about the needs and difficulties of people in need in a timely manner and offer unimpeded assistance channels, the Premier noted.

More efforts must be taken to assist people who get into difficulties because of the COVID-19 epidemic, floods and other disasters, and to ensure the basic livelihoods of low-income groups, according to the instruction.

All kinds of forces in society should be mobilized for joint assistance. Basic livelihoods of people living in poverty should be ensured, the Premier said.

State Councilor Wang Yong addressed those at the meeting, stressing the people-first principle and the solid implementation of duties in social assistance. He called for fulfilling the directive on reforming and improving the country's social assistance system, and safeguarding the bottom line for ensuring people’s livelihoods.

Wang urged the involved departments to further promote innovation in the social assistance system and focus on building a comprehensive assistance layout, as well as a tiered and classified social assistance system with Chinese characteristics in both urban and rural areas.

He called for guaranteeing the bottom line in the fight against poverty and promoting basic living assistance for disadvantaged groups, especially for those affected by the epidemic and floods.

He also stressed innovating and developing emergency social assistance and called on social forces to participate in the cause.