Five percent of the working-age urban population in the capital will this year be brought under a medicare network that covers serious diseases, making Beijing and Shanghai the first two cities to meet their healthcare goals for urban residents.

The initiative will benefit 250,000 Beijingers - 5 percent of the total working-age population with official residence in the capital - according to a report by the Beijing Morning Post.

Since September, minors and retired elderly people who do not have medical insurance have been covered by a special scheme that includes the treatment of serious diseases.