BEIJING, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu has called for more efforts to ensure the basic cultural rights of the country's disabled people.

Promoting cultural services for the disabled can help them to better develop and participate in social life, Hui said here Sunday during an occasion to mark the 22nd national day for helping the disabled.

He called on government departments and officials to improve the construction of the public cultural service system and cultural facilities for the disabled.

He also encouraged the handicapped to live with dignity, confidence and a self-dependent spirit, make efforts to improve their abilities and realize their dreams.

Official statistics show that China currently has 85 million people with some form of disability.