The Chinese government has passed a revision of the law protecting disabled people, hoping to better address their concerns, and provide assistance and help where it's needed.

Friday is the International Day for Disabled People. The day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of people with physical handicaps.

China's law protecting the disabled people was adopted in 1990. It was the country's first such legislation and played an important role in improving the social status of the disabled, as well as safeguarding their basic rights and interests.

Vice-Premier Huang Ju said: "We are glad to see that the social status of the disabled is improving. It is recognized as a sign of civilized society to help disabled people develop their careers, and make their contributions to economic and social progress."

But, there is still a long way to go. One-third of China's 30 million people living below the poverty line are disabled. 60 percent of blind people are illiterate, and less than 60 percent of blind children have the chance to go to school.

Officials from the China Disabled Persons' Federation say the current law does not apply to the country's rapid development.

The federation says the central and local governments do have many new measures to protect disabled people's rights and interests. But, it says, these measures need to be fully recognized in the form of law.

China and its people need new revisions to deal with the problems disabled people are facing. Changes include:

Equal rights for disabled citizens - no exclusion from education, employment, information access, and recreation.

And, further special assistance to narrow the gap between disabled people and the rest of the society.

(CCTV December 4, 2004)