Senior leader underlines poverty relief for revolutionary base

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China's top legislator Wu Bangguo has called for all-around efforts to fight poverty in the Dabieshan Mountain area, an old revolutionary base in east China.

Wu made the remarks during an inspection tour of the region from June 18 to 21.

Dabieshan, which is located on the borders of Hubei, Henan and Anhui provinces, was listed last year as one of the country's 11 "extremely impoverished" regions involving multiple towns and villages. Nearly two million people need financial aid in the Anhui area alone.

"Eliminating poverty, improving livelihoods and realizing common prosperity are the basic requirements for socialism... We will figure out ways to let the revolutionary base shake off poverty and embark on a road of scientific development," Wu said.

While visiting tea, textile and furniture companies, Wu encouraged the region to make full use of local features to develop agriculture as the foundation for allowing homegrown enterprises and brands to flourish.

Wu urged improving and making innovations in rural financial services in order to facilitate the approval of small loans and insurance so local residents can start new businesses.

"Tourism should be a special approach for the region. More local people will benefit from this industry if more diversified travel products are introduced," Wu said after visiting a memorial tower for revolutionary martyrs and a local tourist spot known for its beautiful landscapes.

Wu urged stepping up efforts to improve the region's traffic conditions, a major factor that has been holding back local tourism development.

While encouraging local residents to strengthen vocational training, Wu called for more efforts to create job opportunities by attracting investment from renowned companies -- especially those involved in the light industry, textiles, farm products and traditional Chinese medicine.

"More funds should be used to improve local people's livelihoods, with the most impoverished people as the top priority... Step-by-step plans should be mapped out to ensure proper living conditions for those who have had to evacuate barren land," Wu said.

Moreover, Wu stressed the absolute ban on high-polluting projects and the excessive exploration of local resources. The ban is meant to protect the environment of Dabieshan, a region home to dozens of natural reserves, forest parks, reservoirs and marshland parks.