Last month, with the help of the county's civil affairs bureau, Wu's mother, who has lived on her own in a village about 50 kilometers away from Hanyin, moved into the care center where Wu stays.

"My mother suffers from severe psychological disease and is unable even to recognize me, but I'm happy that my mother and I finally get together," he said.

"Thanks to the local government, I can see my mother and keep her company every day. Moreover, the government covers all of our expenses here, ensuring that both my mother and I can lead a comfortable life."

According to Shen Tao, director of the civil affairs bureau of Hanyin county, the care center completed construction in April 2016. It now houses a total of 130 people. Of them, 42 do not have family and lost the ability to take care of themselves because of old age or disability.

"By offering good care to these people, we have contributed to lifting the most disadvantaged group of people in our county out of extreme poverty," he said.