China pledges measures to ensure all poor people live in a well-off society by 2020. [File Photo: sina.com]

China has pledged measures to help 70 million people escape poverty by 2020.

President Xi Jinping addressed a government conference on poverty alleviation and development on Saturday.

"To build a well-off society in an all-round way, it's a solemn promise to our people. The government must make poverty alleviation the top priority, to ensure that all poor people live in a well-off society and enjoy essential social services by 2020."

Major tasks for governments over the next five years include ensuring the poor have adequate food and clothing, and benefit from compulsory education, health services, and housing.

Meantime, the conference demanded that national expenditure on education should be expanded in poor areas, and special care should be given to the children of migrant parents - the so-called left-behind children.

Industrial development is also key to poverty alleviation.