Guizhou steps up poverty relief efforts

Guizhou province, which is home to more impoverished residents than any other province, is stepping up efforts to lift more people out of poverty, while ensuring no damage is done to the local environment.

"Though we have made progress in the battle against poverty, there is still a long way to go and the task is becoming increasingly difficult," said Chen Min'er, the province's Party chief and a deputy to the 12th National People's Congress, the country's top legislature.

Last year, the southwestern province lifted 1.2 million people out of poverty. As it ramps up resources to cultivate people's ability to support themselves, the mountainous province aims to help another 1 million rural residents who live below the poverty line of 2,300 yuan ($335) in annual income.