Efforts urged to aid rural families' finances

Authorities have called for greater efforts to ensure the financial security of vulnerable rural families after many parts of China were hit by floods and other extreme weather events in recent months.

A circular released by the National Rural Revitalization Administration on Wednesday said local authorities can bypass some paperwork so that affected rural families can receive timely assistance and avoid sliding back into poverty "due to unforeseen circumstances".

More monitoring is needed for "targeted groups" including those with low incomes, individuals experiencing a significant decline in income, and those burdened by increased expenses, the document said, adding that any factors hindering stable income growth for the impoverished should be identified and addressed.

Employers in wealthier eastern regions were also encouraged to offer more jobs for rural workers at their operations in poorer western regions.

In central and western regions, targeted vocational skills training initiatives will also be launched to improve the employment prospects of those who have just been lifted out of poverty, the circular said.

The document encouraged efforts to aid the purchase of agricultural products from impoverished regions.

Organizations funded by public money should collaborate with e-commerce enterprises to support the expansion of farm produce sales, the circular said.

"Efforts are needed to guide impoverished households in transforming their products into marketable goods and tangible cash, ultimately promoting stable employment and income growth," it said.

The circular said that rural income growth would be factored into the assessment of local governments' performances when the year ends.

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Wednesday that they have earmarked a total of 432 million yuan ($58.8 million) for disaster prevention and relief funds for agricultural production.

The money will be used to support eight provinces, including Hebei, in their efforts to carry out disaster relief work and restore agricultural production in the aftermath of flood and drought disasters, the departments said on their websites.

The primary focus of the funds will be on providing subsidies for crop replanting in affected areas, as well as the procurement of necessary materials to facilitate the recovery of agricultural production.