Poverty relief theme for Help the Handicapped Day

The theme of this year's Help the Handicapped Day is aiding handicapped people living in poverty, according to sources with the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF).

In a circular issued by the State Council Office on the Work of Handicapped People in collaboration with 14 ministerial departments, the central government called on governments at different levels and people from all walks of life to increase their efforts to help the impoverished handicapped population.

The document, titled "A Notice on the Implementation of the 23rd National Help the Handicapped Day," aims to further ease and eventually eradicate poverty among handicapped citizens.

According to the federation, the majority of the country's handicapped population lives below the national average standard, and 30 percent of handicapped residents in rural areas live below the national poverty line, which is an annual per capita income of 2,300 yuan (about 370 U.S. dollars).