BEIJING: The Chinese government made hefty investment, 44 percent of the total public investment from the central budget, to improve people's livelihood last year, Premier Wen Jiabao said at the parliament's annual session Friday.

"Of this, 44 percent was invested in low-income housing, projects to improve the well-being of rural residents and social programs," he said.

The Chinese government unveiled a 4-trillion yuan economic stimulus plan in November of 2008 to finance programs in 10 major areas over two years to 2010. A total of 1.18 trillion yuan is offered by the central government while the remaining from local governments and private sector.