IN BRIEF (Page 20)

Fewer below poverty line

China's population below the poverty line decreased by 37.43 million over the past five years, and farmers' annual incomes surged to 3,273 yuan ($498.29) in key counties, registering an average annual growth of 10.28 percent, chinanews.com reported, citing the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development.

In 2010, the average net income in the key counties increased by 431 yuan from 2009, up by 11.2 percent year-on-year on an inflation-adjusted basis, the report quoted the office's spokesman, Hong Tianyun, as saying. Hong added that the population below the poverty line also decreased by 9.09 million across the nation, the biggest decrease since the financial crisis.