Xi urges benefits for China's poverty-stricken areas

Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd R), also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with female deputies to the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2014. Xi joined a discussion with deputies from Southwest China's Guizhou province attending the second session of the 12th NPC in Beijing on Friday and expressed greetings, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, to the female NPC deputies and members of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) as well as all Chinese women for the International Women's Day which falls on March 8. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for efforts to extend benefits to people living in the country's poverty-stricken areas.

He made the remarks while joining lawmakers from Southwest China's Guizhou province in examination of the government work report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang at the opening of the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, on Wednesday.

Xi urged innovation in the province's development strategies and called on Guizhou to exert its late-mover advantages.

"The selection of industries in the development should be in line with the local conditions," he said.

He also urged the simultaneous development of economy, society and the environment.

Guizhou is one of the poorest provinces in China.

Female reporters blaze a trail for women	Premier Li joins discussion with deputies from Qinghai