The development of rural areas is a key factor for China's
national rejuvenation and long-term stability, Premier Wen
Jiabao said in a speech released by the State Council on
Thursday.
Wen said the scheme to boost the construction of a new socialist
countryside, a blueprint mapped out by the central authorities at
the Fifth Plenum of the 16th Central Committee of the Communist
Party of China (CPC) last October, is of great significance.
The government will work hard during the 2006-2010 time frame to
improve living and production conditions in rural areas by
substantially enlarging state financial coverage, he said.
Wen said the Chinese government will deepen institutional reform
at the township level and financial reform at the county and
township levels.
Compulsory education is also an important of the reform, he
said.
Wen highlighted that the abolition of agricultural taxes, which
began this year, does not necessarily mean that the burden on
farmers has been lifted.
"We must guard against the manipulation of farmers in various
forms," he said.
To maintain the balance between food supply and demand, Wen
said, the regulations on farmland protection must be strictly
observed, and preferential policies must be implemented to inspire
farmers' enthusiasm for growing grain.
Land management is another crucial issue. It not only concerns
rural development and stability but might also affect sustainable
development of the country's overall industrialization and
urbanization process, Wen said.
Wen said that land acquisition for construction projects must be
strictly controlled, and farmers' property rights must be
respected.
Acknowledging that migrant workers from rural areas have become
a major component of the country's industrial workforce, Wen called
for the improvement of their treatment, including pay, social
security, vocational training opportunities and their children's
education.
Public services in the countryside, including education, medical
care and cultural services, have to be strengthened in the ensuing
five years, Wen said.
Moreover, Wen also urged governments at all levels to make rural
issues the top priority on their work agendas.
(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2006)
