Household permits on way for all

China will provide unregistered citizens with household registration permits, a crucial document entitling them to social welfare, according to a high--level reform meeting.

In China, various social benefits, such as medical insurance and access to basic education, are based on permits known as hukou that are supposed to correlate with long-term places of work and residence.

"It is a basic legal right for Chinese citizens to lawfully register for hukou. It's also a premise for citizens to participate in social affairs, enjoy rights and fulfill duties," said a statement released on Wednesday after a meeting of the central leading group for comprehensively deepening reform. The meeting was presided over by President Xi Jinping.