BEIJING - China will officially recognize those who excel in poverty alleviation work, an official from the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development announced Wednesday.

"The poverty alleviation prizes are comprised of awards for endeavor, contribution, dedication and innovation. Each award will be held by no more than 10 people at any time," said Zheng Wenkai, deputy head of the office at a press conference.

The prizes will be issued once a year until 2020.

There were still around 70 million Chinese last year living below the poverty line, many in harsh conditions without roads, water or power.

Lifting them out of poverty by 2020 will be "the most arduous task" on China's path toward a moderately prosperous society in all respects, according to a key poverty alleviation instruction released by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council last December.