Vice-Premier Wen Jiabao called for the further lightening of the financial burdens of farmers and for the safeguarding of their well being at a national teleconference on Wednesday, which focused on the task of supporting China's farmers.
The meeting was sponsored by the general offices of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council.
The most practical and concrete symbol of the current campaign in rural areas is the dissemination of the "Three Represents" theory, said Wen, who is a member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau.
The "Three Represents" theory calls on the CPC to always represent the development trend of China's advanced productive forces, the orientation of China's advanced culture and the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people.
The situation in rural areas is good in general, but in some areas, problems which have increased farmers' financial burdens still exist, including illegal taxes and fund-raising practices by local governments.
In his address, the vice-premier called for well carrying out tax reform in the countryside, following the policies on reducing farmers' load, stopping illegal levies, and protecting rights and interests of rural labors working in urban areas.
(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2002)
