China pledges education, hospital, juror system reforms

A doctor removes glass from a victim's hand who is injured of a bus fire at the No.1 Hospital in Xiamen,Southeast China's Fujian Province, Jan 15, 2015.[Xinhua]

BEIJING - China's central authorities on Wednesday rolled out plans to support rural teachers, overhaul public hospitals and improve public supervision of court cases.

The plans were adopted at the 11th meeting of the central leading group for deepening overall reform on Wednesday, during which President Xi Jinping, who is also head of the group, called on authorities to "show courage and guts" in reform. Deputy group heads Li Keqiang, Liu Yunshan and Zhang Gaoli were also present.

The meeting approved a plan to support rural teachers over the next five years and guidelines on reforming urban public hospitals.

Group members attending the meeting noted that education in remote and poor areas in the central and western regions is the weakest link in the modernization of education.

It is crucial that every child receives an equal education so as to stop poverty spreading to the next generation, according to a statement released after the meeting.

Means of increasing the number of good teachers in poor areas include improving teachers' political and moral awareness, increasing their income, and persuading urban teachers to work in rural schools.

Urging deeper reform in public hospitals in cities, the group members agreed that public hospitals should be operated for the public good, instead of seeking profits, and the service should be accessible, equal and beneficial for the people.

They believe better healthcare administration is needed, particularly in the area of medical insurance and medical workers' salaries.