Chinese households see improvements in incomes

The proportion of households considered well-off in China has risen from nearly 73 percent in 2007 to almost 75 percent in 2008. But disparities still exist across the country.

According to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, close to 84 percent of households in the eastern regions had good incomes last year. That's compared to around 78 percent in the north-east, 72 percent in central regions, and just 66 percent in the west. Not surprising both Beijing and Shanghai are posting above 90 percent in this area.

A report from the National Bureau of Statistics has outlined higher standards of living and environment, as well as shrinking the gap between the poor and rich as major tasks for building a healthy society.