Premier Li Keqiang outlined the importance of advancing the reform and development of social programs, including the public health system, medical services, education, social safety network as well as social governance to safeguard and improve people's living standards.

During his government work report at the opening of the third session of the 13th National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, on Friday, Li said, "Despite the difficulties we face, we must unfailingly meet the basic living needs of our people and address issues of public concern."

Li also pointed out the importance of resolutely preventing a resurgence of COVID-19.

The government prioritizes life, and will "make good use of COVID-19 bonds, increase inputs into vaccine R&D, medicine and rapid testing technologies, build more medical facilities for epidemic control and treatment, set up more laboratories, ensure emergency supplies and strengthen public health and epidemic prevention at the primary level," Li said.

"We will raise government subsidies for basic medical insurance for rural and non-working urban residents by an average of 30 yuan (about four U.S. dollars) per person and pilot inter-provincial on-the-spot settlement of outpatient bills through basic medical insurance accounts. We will provide support to medical institutions badly hit by the epidemic. We will promote the development of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Supervision over food and drugs will be tightened up to guarantee their safety," Li said.

Li acknowledged the special needs of disadvantaged communities. The government will strengthen the development of boarding schools in townships and towns and schools in counties, provide quality special needs education and continuing education, support private schools and keep them well-regulated and help private kindergartens overcome difficulties.

"We will improve the systems of providing preferential treatment and employment services for demobilized military personnel, and ensure benefits for the facilities of people who have died in service of the public. We will extend the coverage of unemployment insurance and see that rural migrant workers and others out of work who are in the scheme less than a year are covered in the locality where they are living," Li said. 

"Subsistence allowances will be expanded to cover all families facing difficulties, and such allowances will be made promptly available to eligible urban unemployed people and migrant workers who have returned home."

Li also mentioned that the government will ensure that "assistance is provided to anyone who runs into temporary difficulty because of disaster or illness." And the government will provide support for people who need to secure a job or start their own business.

He also recognized the importance of "the sound development of social organizations, humanitarian assistance, volunteer service and charity."

"We will protect the lawful rights and interests of women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. We will improve the system for handling public complaints, provide better legal aid and ensure that justified public demands are addressed promptly."