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E-mail China.org.cn, February 2, 2024
CNR:
Rural development is closely related to the vital interests of farmers and has received widespread attention. What is the next step in creating livable, business-friendly, and beautiful rural areas? Furthermore, how can we motivate farmers and encourage them to participate more actively in rural development? Thank you.
Deng Xiaogang:
Thank you for your questions. I will answer them. Rural development is an important task in promoting comprehensive rural revitalization, directly impacting farmers' production and livelihoods. While recent efforts of various parties have yielded positive progress, there is still a considerable gap compared to farmers' expectations. In implementing the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, the MARA, alongside other relevant departments, will target the goal of "ensuring modern standards of living in rural areas." Taking the experience of the "Million Project" (Green Rural Revival Program) as a guide, we will focus on several issues that have a strong impact, can be effectively implemented within a few years, and can achieve visible results. The aim is to improve the level of rural development and gradually enhance the completeness of rural infrastructure, convenience of public services, and comfort of living environment. The main work can be summarized in three aspects:
First, we will coordinate the advancement of rural development. Adapting to the evolving situation in the rural permanent population, we will focus on the crucial concerns voiced by residents, such as paving village roads and ensuring a reliable supply of tap water. We will work to foster coordinated and intensive development efforts by leveraging the rural devleopment project database and task list. At the same time, we will improve the rural public service system and enhance the quality of public services, such as education, healthcare, and elderly care.
Second, we will take the lead in improving the rural living environment. We will continue the rural toilet revolution in a steady and sustainable manner, establishing long-term management and maintenance mechanisms, and ensuring that each toilet is upgraded to the highest standard possible. We will also coordinate the treatment of rural domestic sewage and garbage, enhance the appearance of villages, and carry out village clean-up campaigns in an orderly manner.
Third, we will continue to strengthen the support and guarantees for rural development. We will strengthen the scientific and technological R&D, integration demonstrations, and promotion and applications in key areas of rural development. We will also promote the formulation and revision of standards for planning, design, engineering construction, operation, and maintenance, etc. We will involve various parties in rural development through initiatives including "10,000 private enterprises revitalizing 10,000 villages."
In rural development, it is important to note that farmers are both beneficiaries and key participants. We should adhere to building rural areas for farmers and establishing implementation mechanisms for bottom-up and villagers' self-governance so that farmers have the desire to build, are willing to do it by themselves and have the ability to participate. We will focus on three key points: First, enhance participation mechanisms. We will improve the leading mechanism of rural grassroots party organizations and enhance mechanisms for promoting implementation, such as village committees, as well as mechanisms for consultation and promotion, such as villagers' meetings, and organize farmers to participate in decision-making. Second, diversify participation methods. We will guide farmers to contribute labor and materials and engage in construction through measures like building first, followed by subsidies and using rewards instead of subsidies. We will also adopt methods such as party member responsibility zones, street and alley chiefs, as well as policies like the "three responsibilities in front of the door" so as to encourage farmers to participate in management and maintenance. Third, strengthen participation guarantees. Farmers' awareness, participation rates, and satisfaction levels will serve as important criteria for implementing rural development projects. We will provide clear and concise information to stimulate farmers' motivation for participation. Thank you.
Xie Yingjun:
Thank you for the introductions, and thank you to all the journalists for your participation. That's all for today's press conference. Goodbye.
Translated and edited by Yang Xi, Wang Wei, Zhou Jing, He Shan, Liu Caiyi, Huang Shan, Wang Qian, Liu Sitong, Gong Yingchun, Zhang Rui, Xu Kailin, Yan Xiaoqing, Li Huiru, David Ball, Tom Arnsten, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.
