The growing wealth gap between the rich and poor could threaten social stability if it is not addressed within the next five years, according to a Xinhua report.
In an article yesterday, the news agency contrasted the lifestyles of the rich and poor throughout the country, saying the income disparity had now reached the level of a 'yellow alert'.
'Recently, a wedding was held in China's tallest building - the Shanghai Jinmao Tower,' Xinhua said. 'It was so classy that people called it a million-yuan wedding.
'But according to the wedding planner, 1 million was just a rough figure and the amount actually spent was certainly more than that.'
The report then discussed the plight of Li Douyou in Shou county, Anhui province .
'In his house, Li Douyou watches over his meningitis-stricken son lying on his bed,' Xinhua said. 'Because he does not have any money to pay a doctor, Li Douyou can only tie his son down.
'Shanghai is not more than 500km away from Shou county, but there is a world of difference in living standards in the two places.'
