BEIJING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator on Wednesday called for efforts to safeguard the interests of people with disabilities in the country and ensure they enjoy the fruits of development.
Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), made the remarks in his instruction to a meeting of the NPC Standing Committee's work group for inspecting the implementation of the Law on the Protection of Disabled Persons.
Wu said that caring for and guaranteeing the rights and interests of the disabled is a sign of social progress. He ordered inspectors to check the implementation of the law and urge relevant authorities to pay close attention to work with disabled persons and solve difficulties facing the group.
"The inspection should cover the direct interests of the disabled in aspects including basic living, education, employment and recovery," Wu said.
The disabled should also have equal opportunities to participate in social activities and enjoy the achievement of China's reform and opening up as well as development, which is an important part of building a harmonious society, he added.
Also at the meeting, Wang Zhaoguo, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, said the living standards of China's disabled community have largely improved with the efforts made in recent years.
However, more efforts are needed to promote the work with the disabled and the full implementation of the law, according to Wang.
Wang also urged deepened investigation of the implementation of the law, analyze problems and offer targeted proposals in order to efficiently solve difficulties for the disabled.