China will step up efforts to consolidate the gains made in the battle against poverty, including building and implementing a monitoring and assistance mechanism nationwide to prevent people from falling back into poverty, according to a press conference organized by the State Council Information Office on Wednesday.

The main focus of the monitoring work are the households that have been lifted out of poverty but have risks of slipping in, as well as those with incomes barely higher than the poverty line, said Ou Qingping, deputy director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development. 

Poverty alleviation authorities at county levels are responsible for identifying the households to be monitored and registering them in a national information system of poverty alleviation and development.

For people who have the ability to work, the assistance measures will include developing industries and bolstering employment. As for those who are unable to work, comprehensive social security measures will be enhanced.

A transitional period will also be set to ensure the continuity of poverty relief responsibilities, policies, assistance and supervision. 

The COVID-19 pandemic and flood disasters this year have affected China's poverty alleviation campaign, but the country has taken measures to offset the impact. There is no case of people falling back into poverty due to the pandemic and floods, said Ou.

China is set to eradicate absolute poverty this year, and all its 832 registered poor counties had shaken off poverty by November.