BEIJING, May 9 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government has issued a set of guidelines on strengthening welfare support for children experiencing hardship.

These guidelines, released by the General Office of the State Council, emphasize boosting support for basic living needs and medical care for these children.

The guidelines call for ensuring equal access to education services for children in difficult circumstances, enhancing special education services, and improving educational assistance measures.

They also highlight the importance of building a mental healthcare system and bolstering personal safety protection.

Additionally, these guidelines call for the improvement of the national guardianship system and the active role of child welfare institutions in providing support.

The guidelines further specify the need to enhance grassroots service capabilities and ensure that resources, including personnel, finances and materials, are steered toward grassroots front-line efforts. ■