Improving livelihood for urban residents a priority

China will adopt a new type of people-centered urbanization policy to offer those from the countryside who live in cities more of the social welfare currently enjoyed by ful-time metropolitan residents, according to a government work report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday.

"Urbanization is the sure route to modernization and an important basis for integrating the urban and rural structures," Li said in his first government work report at the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body.

Since 2002, China's fast urbanization process and dynamic manufacturing industry have prompted a large number of rural residents to move from countryside to cities every year. However, farmers without land have to find jobs in cities to make a living.