Vice President Zeng Qinghong on Monday urged local authorities to put the issues concerning agriculture, countryside and farmers on top of their agenda.

Local governments should further speed up the modernization of agriculture and push forward the building of new countryside with down-to-earth steps, said Zeng at a panel discussion by deputies who came from east China's Jiangxi Province to attend the parliament's annual session.

Zeng noted that Jiangxi is a typical province where its economy relies on agriculture. And two thirds of its population live in rural areas.

"Therefore, it will be a very arduous task for the local governments to tackle prominent problems about agriculture, countryside and farmers," said Zeng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

He told the deputies that the central government's general guidelines on this year's work requires full implementation of the scientific concept of development, expedited building of a harmonious society and practical achievements of various tasks.

"Local governments should arrange their work in line with the requests and be prepared to greet the Communist Party's 17th national congress with excellent work performance," he said.

He also showed full support to the government work report delivered by Premier Wen Jiabao at the opening meeting of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC).

"It completely reflects the government's policies on improving the people's livelihood, promoting social harmony and ensuring the public's security. It is a report seeking truth, touching specific problems and inspiring diligent work," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2007)