Red Star News:

The report to the 20th CPC National Congress proposed to improve the multi-tiered and categorized social assistance system. I would like to know what new measures the MCA, as an important department responsible for ensuring people's basic living needs, has implemented to strengthen efforts in this regard. Thank you.

Tang Dengjie:

Thank you for your question. I would like to invite Mr. Liu to answer it.

Liu Xitang:

In recent years, the MCA has thoroughly studied and implemented the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping. Following an approach that classifies on the basis of difficulty levels, categorizes assistance content, and enforces dynamic monitoring and early warning systems, the MCA has collaborated closely with relevant departments to enhance the social assistance system, including the subsistence allowance program. Efforts have been directed toward bolstering the dynamic monitoring of low-income populations and providing consistent assistance and support. The ministry has also expedited the establishment of a comprehensive and efficient social assistance system, consisting primarily of subsistence allowances, targeted social assistance, and emergency social relief, and supplemented by public participation. The objective is to achieve all-encompassing, tiered, classified and efficient pattern of assistance, all while advancing high-quality development in this field. There are four main facets:

First, we are enhancing the basic living assistance system, which includes the subsistence allowance program. We have established and reinforced proactive identification mechanism, focusing on identifying and supporting individuals and families who cannot apply for assistance themselves. We have conducted comprehensive assessments of families just outside the margin of eligibility, and we've separately included individuals with severe illnesses or disabilities from these families in the subsistence allowance program. Our objective is to ensure that our social safety net extends assistance and support to all those in need. We have promptly adjusted the assistance standard in line with economic and social development levels. As of the end of June this year, the standard urban and rural subsistence allowances have increased by 4.8% and 8.5%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. From January to June this year, a total of 126.5 billion yuan has been spent nationwide for subsistence allowances, assistance for the severely impoverished persons, and temporary assistance, effectively guaranteeing the basic livelihoods of individuals in need.

Second, we are strengthening the construction of the national dynamic monitoring information platform for low-income populations. We have included recipients of minimum subsistence allowances, individuals from families just outside the margin of eligibility, severely impoverished individuals, individuals from families facing difficulties with essential expenditures, individuals on the verge of poverty who can fall back in again easily, and other individuals identified by local governments as in need within the scope of dynamic monitoring. We have also established a mechanism for sharing information with various departments, such as those responsible for education, healthcare, housing and urban-rural development, and rural revitalization, as well as trade unions and local federations serving people with disabilities. This aims to enhance monitoring and early warning capabilities and provide support for the establishment of a tiered and classified social assistance system.

Third, we are enhancing the comprehensive assistance and support mechanisms. In collaboration with relevant departments, we have conducted in-depth research to further clarify assistance and support policies for families just outside the margin of eligibility for subsistence allowances and families facing difficulties with essential expenditures. Following the principles of tiered targeting, categorized assistance, comprehensive coverage, and efficient coordination, we have enhanced the relevant assistance policies to continuously improve accessibility and coverage. We have implemented temporary assistance in the places where emergencies and difficulties happened, providing increased support to individuals facing temporary hardships. Additionally, we have strengthened the effective connection between the government's assistance and charitable support, guiding and supporting the involvement of public welfare and charitable organizations in social assistance. The MCA has recently issued documents and made relevant arrangements concerning these efforts.

Fourth, we are continuously deepening the reform of the social assistance system. With the goal of achieving common prosperity, we have improved social security directed to poverty elimination and strengthened theoretical research on social assistance policies. We have conducted pilot experiments in areas such as service-oriented social assistance, applications for subsistence allowances based on places of one's habitual residence, coordinated allocation of assistance resources, and enhancing service capabilities. We have promptly summarized and promoted exemplary practices and experiences at the local level. We have also promptly issued policy and institutional measures, continually improving the tiered and classified social assistance system. We aim to ensure that individuals in need have a greater sense of benefit, happiness, and security. Thank you.