CHENGDU, Dec. 29 (NBD) -- In China, nine provinces and cities - Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Liaoning, and Hainan - raised minimum wage standards this year, with an average growth rate of 10.7 percent. 

The growth rate and the number of provincial-level regions adjusting minimum wages both see a sharp drop as compared to previous years. 

Shanghai tops the minimum monthly wage list by raising its standard to 2,190 yuan (about 315 US dollars). Beijing comes first in the minimum hourly wage list with 21 yuan (about three US dollars) per hour.

Speaking at a working conference on Wednesday, Yin Weimin, head of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China, said that the state will continually improve wage and income distribution policies that highlight human capital and labor value, promote equality of opportunities, and encourage innovations.