BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Monday said 10 million people in the country's rural areas were lifted out of poverty in 2018, when delivering a New Year speech.

Another 125 counties were removed from the country's list of impoverished counties after going through evaluation this year, he said.

The country reduced the prices of 17 cancer-fighting drugs, and included them on the medical insurance list, he added.

Xi also noted officials on the frontlines of fighting against poverty, including more than 2.8 million cadres dispatched to work in villages, and rural Party officials.

"They are devoted to their work and do an awesome job," Xi said, wishing them good health.

"My heart goes out to the people living in hardship," he said, recollecting his visits to Sanhe Village in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province, Sanjianxi Village in Jinan City in Shandong Province, the Donghuayuan community in Fushun City in Liaoning Province, and Lianzhang Village in Qingyuan City in Guangdong Province.

"I would like to wish all of you a prosperous and thriving New Year," Xi said.