China on Tuesday unveiled guidelines to reform its income distribution mechanisms amid growing public concern over a widening wealth gap.

The reform will focus on increasing residents' income, narrowing the income distribution disparity and regulating the distribution order, said a statement from the State Council, or China's cabinet, which declared approval and transfer of the guidelines.

The government will work to double the average real income of urban and rural residents by 2020 from the 2010 level and let the poor enjoy faster income growth, the guidelines said.