12.4m in rural areas lifted out of poverty

China lifted 12.4 million rural residents out of poverty last year as part of the central government's campaign to lift the entire nation out of poverty by 2020.

There are still 43.35 million people living below the poverty line of 2,300 yuan ($335) in annual income.

The data was released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday in its annual report on economic and social development.