33 counties in Henan cast off poverty

ZHENGZHOU, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-three counties in central China's Henan Province have shaken off poverty, the provincial government said Thursday.

The 33 counties, including 26 old revolutionary base areas, have met required standards in terms of the comprehensive poverty head-count ratio and approval of local residents.

So far, 30 out of the 40 impoverished old revolutionary base areas in the province have cast off poverty.

The province plans to lift 14 more counties out of poverty this year, said an official with the provincial poverty alleviation office.

China aims to eradicate poverty by 2020, the target year to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects.