China's top legislator Li Peng said Wednesday that China adopted and amended 11 additional laws relating to agriculture and rural areas, creating better conditions for the country to develop the rural economy and protect farmers' legitimate interests in the past five years.

Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said that the additional laws have brought the total number of laws on agriculture and rural areas to 19.

These laws have laid a solid foundation for the country to revitalize agriculture and the rural economy through the rule of law, said the chairman.

He made the remarks during a panel discussion on two amended laws, namely, the agricultural and grasslands law and the newly-adopted law on rural land contracts.

The amendments to the agricultural law, which will take effect on March 1, 2003, incorporate new regulations to accelerate the transfer of surplus rural labor, ensure the safety of farm produce and advance agricultural science and technological development.

The grasslands law amendments tighten supervision of tourism ventures in grassland areas and forbid the use of strongly toxic pesticides in such locations.

The top legislator called on officials at all levels to improve their awareness of the rule of law while dealing with issues concerning agriculture and rural areas.

He called on the entire Chinese community to pay more attention to the country's agriculture and farmers and to increase their support for agricultural development.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2003)