Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday that local governments should fully implement relief measures introduced by the central government to help private businesses and individuals hit hard by COVID-19 epidemic.

Provincial governments must pay more attention to tackling issues related to the well-being of the people, such as poverty, unemployment and minimum living allowance, Li said. 

Li, who leads the group of China's COVID-19 epidemic response, made the remarks during a video conference with the mayor of Shanghai Municipality and governors of Jilin, Jiangsu, Henan, Guangdong and Sichuan provinces.

Emphasizing on the issue of employment, Li said governments at local levels must extend help to small and medium-businesses and self-owned businesses and accelerate the resumption of work in order to expand job opportunities.

The premier also urged local governments to enhance the support for people's well-being as the economy slows down.

China aims to reach its goal in poverty alleviation and building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects by the end of this year, he said, adding that provincial governments should increase government subsidies to help grassroots-level government bodies eradicate poverty.

Governments should also significantly expand unemployment insurance and guarantee minimum living allowance and social security network for the vulnerable.