Fishermen discharge crabs in a port in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province on Sept 19, 2018. [Photo/IC]

Zhoushan in East China's Zhejiang province witnessed remarkable progress in poverty alleviation last year, with disposable income per capita for low-income fishermen reaching 16,557 yuan ($2,467), among the highest levels in the province for low-income fishermen. 

The city's finance department has made employment a top priority in reducing poverty, and has set up a special fund to support low-income fishermen who are willing to work and capable of working. 

Local social insurance has also improved. Basic endowment insurance and basic medical insurance now cover 90.68 percent and 98.91 percent of all Zhoushan residents, respectively. The subsistence allowance granted by the local government has been increased to 720 yuan per month for those in extreme poverty.

In addition, the city has pushed forward poverty alleviation in education and healthcare. Around 14,534 students in Zhoushan received subsidies totaling 70.07 million yuan last year, and 15,100 poor people received 605,600 yuan in medical care benefits. 

For low-income fishermen with severe diseases, the government granted medical aid of 4,000 yuan to 15,000 yuan per person. Government officials also helped support around 4,983 poor households, providing money or goods worth no less than 1,600 yuan to each.

Apart from the government, the city's charity federation spent 29 million yuan helping 13,300 poor people, and the local disabled persons' federation helped 8,559 impoverished disabled people gain access to subsidies.