北京周报（2007年第38期）

COVER STORY The wealth gap between urban and rural areas in China is true even between the poorest people,with cities establishiing social security systems shile rural areas have been left behind.That situation is gradually changing as the government introduces a basic living allowance to an ever-increasing number of needy families in China's countryside.Social security is expected to cover all of China's 800 million rural population by hte end of the year.The system is far from perfect.Different regions have set their own basic income levels and this has led to wide disparitees in social security payments.But the allowance can mean all the difference to the poorest of families,bringing them heat in the winter or the hope of sending a son or daughter to college.