Senior Chinese official Wu Guanzheng has urged government officials to
work for the benefit of farmers in a drive to build a new socialist
countryside.
In an inspection trip to the Ministry of Agriculture, Wu, a
member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the
Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, called on officials to
work to solve outstanding issues that affect farmers' rights and
interests.
Wu, also secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline
Inspection, said problems such as random charges by officials,
production and marketing of fake agricultural products, and
misappropriation of government subsidies to farmers have to be
curbed and those who are responsible should be held
accountable.
He stressed that major undertakings relevant to farmers' rights
and interests should be made public. Wu also called for a marked
improvement in agricultural project supervision and the bidding
system.
(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2006)