200m in China living on under RMB8 a day

82 million rural Chinese live on a daily income of less than US$1 (RMB6.13) according to a senior official, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing state media. Zheng Wenkai, vice minister of an office for poverty alleviation and development under the State Council, also told China Daily on Tuesday that about 200 million in China (roughly 15% of the population) would be considered poor by international poverty measures set at US$1.25 (RMB7.66)  a day. The comments came ahead of China’s inaugural “Poverty Alleviation Day” on Friday, designated as a way to raise public awareness of the issue. Zhen said the government planned to reform assistance programs hit by allegations of fund misuse.