Sunday marks China’s 23rd "Help the Handicapped Day". The China Disabled Persons’ Federation, says the theme of this year’s Day is aiding people living in poverty.
China has a population of 85 million with a disability. According to the federation, the majority of them live below the national average wage, while 30 percent of those in rural areas live below the national poverty line, less than 2,300 yuan a year.
In a document issued by China’s State Council Office on the Work of Handicapped People, the central government has called on governments at all levels and people from all walks of life to increase their efforts to help the handicapped population. Local governments should help them and their family members to get jobs and guarantee their income. The document aims to further ease and eventually eradicate poverty among handicapped people.