Higher tax threshold to assist poor on way

BEIJING - China will raise the threshold of personal income tax amid the rising cost of living, a move aimed at reducing the burden of middle and low-income people and expanding domestic consumption, Premier Wen Jiabao said on Sunday.

"The threshold raise will be discussed by the State Council on Wednesday and will be delivered to the National People's Congress later for review," Wen said in Beijing during his online chat organized by the official website of the Chinese central government and the website of Xinhua News Agency.

Wen's online session was held before the upcoming annual session of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, which is scheduled to begin this week.