WUHAN - China has provided more than 140 billion yuan ($21.6 billion) to low-income residents over the past 11 months, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) on Monday.

China has some 66.5 million people, five percent of its total population, receiving subsistence allowances. The cash subsidy standard for each urban resident is 439 yuan per month, and 255 yuan for rural residents, the MCA said.

The MCA also announced 45.5 million people with financial difficulties were offered medical services from January to September, with 15.3 billion yuan spent on the scheme.

Minister of Civil Affairs Li Liguo said the government will resolutely speed up the poverty relief work. Li also warned China is faced with the large, looming challenge of an aging population and called for a coordinated social assistance mechanism.