BEIJING — Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua called for continued efforts in collaboration and paired assistance between the eastern and western regions of the country.

Hu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks on May 18 during a teleconference in Beijing.

Work toward this end progressed smoothly last year, with assistance tasks fully accomplished, Hu said. He urged related authorities to prioritize consolidating the country's poverty-reduction achievements and boosting the employment of those who have shaken off poverty.

The country should increase support for rural counties that play a key role in rural vitalization, and make persistent efforts to increase the income of rural residents, Hu said.

Shedding light on cross-region cooperation, Hu underscored the need to accelerate the industrial transfer from east to west, encourage more companies to seek development in western regions, and step up inter-market collaboration.

During the teleconference, representatives from 18 provincial-level regions in the east and the west inked collaboration agreements.