As the leader of one of the richest provinces in China, Li Yuanchao has worked hard to ensure money is spent wisely.

The Party Secretary of east China's Jiangsu Province said 60 percent of the province's 400 billion yuan (US$51.6 billion) earnings in 2006 was channeled to the central government a sign there is more than enough money to go around.

"As Jiangsu has benefited from the country's reform and opening-up policy, we should make these contributions to our nation in return," the Party secretary said in an interview with the China Central Television.

As for the rest of the revenue, Li has prioritized spending on key provincial needs, particularly for the poor.

"No matter whether it is in the urban area or the rural area, we must make sure that the poorest people in Jiangsu will be able to afford to eat, to dress, and to have a house to live," Li said. 

A fair healthcare and a housing system are the two major priorities, he said.

Since 2002, the province launched a new healthcare system and special hospitals that provide affordable treatment for the poor.

The province has 32 such hospitals and the capital Nanjing, has 12.

Tan Xiaomin and Wu Xiufeng, a couple laid off in late 1990s, never thought they could afford a surgery to cure Wu's waist disease.

But because of the new welfare system, Wu was able to have surgery and save more than 10,000 yuan (US$1,292). Some 400,000 people like Wu were able to afford surgery last year.

"For the healthcare reform, the most urgent work is to let the poorest be able to afford to see doctors." Li said.

Neighboring Shanghai, Jiangsu has a dense population of almost 75 million people.

Another welfare scheme, the "831 Project" housing system launched in Nanjing in 2003, has enabled many poor people to buy housing, with government grants.

Kai Weixing, of Yangzhou, who used to live in a tiny shoebox apartment with his wife and daughter, just bought a new apartment, spending a mere 60,000 yuan (US$7,752), a third of the apartment's normal price.

"My daughter is very pleased to have her own room, and we are all very pleased," Kai said.

(China Daily March 8, 2007)