Provisional regulations on social assistance effective on May 1st

China's Ministry of Civil Affairs has briefed the media on the "Provisional Regulations on Social Assistance". Chinese Premier Li Keqiang signed a decree to issue the regulations which will come into effect on May the 1st. The regulations are the country's first legal document to coordinate and regulate a fragmentary social assistance system. They include a minimum level of living standards, support for extremely poor people, assistance for people affected by disasters, medical assistance, and help in areas including education, housing and employment. During the press conference, the Minister of Civil Affairs, Li Liguo, said China's social assistance work has developed rapidly in recent years .

Li said, "The regulations will provide a legal basis for social assistance. They will help to co-ordinate the establishment of the social assistance work. The regulations will also help to improve the social assistance system and set up a safety net by guaranteeing the basic living standards of poverty-stricken people. "