China will strive harder to develop rural areas as it is of vital
importance to the effort to build a well-off society in an
all-round way, according to a top-level meeting held in Beijing
Thursday.
The meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China
(CPC) Central Committee, presided over by General Secretary Hu
Jintao, was devoted to the development of agriculture and the
rural areas in the next year.
Agriculture and rural development must be a priority for the Party
in the coming year in a bid to balance the growth of both urban and
rural areas, according to sources with the meeting.
The meeting called on all localities and departments concerned to
direct greater efforts to increase farmers' income rather quickly,
continue to promote agricultural restructuring, improve the quality
and export of farm produce, accelerate the adjustment and reform of
township enterprises, develop small towns, and boost the transfer
of surplus rural labor force.
Financial input in agriculture and the countryside should be
increased so as to facilitate eco-environmental protection, the
construction of medium-sized and small infrastructure projects, and
the poverty-alleviation drive.
The meeting urged efforts to maintain a stable policy toward rural
development, deepened rural reform, and mobilize and protect the
enthusiasm of farmers.
Rural education, science and technology, health, cultural
development and other social undertakings must be strengthened so
as to gradually narrow the gap between urban and rural areas.
It
was decided at the meeting that the central conference on rural
work would be held soon.
(Xinhua News Agency December 27, 2002)