China's rural economy has made good progress this
year, thanks to many favorable factors, it was agreed at the annual
central economic conference at the weekend.
To maintain good development momentum, the country
should continue to focus on rural issues. Agricultural
infrastructure will be strengthened next year and rural living and
working conditions improved, the conference said.
The transformation of administrative fees into
taxes in rural areas and exploration of new financing channels for
agricultural development, in order to ensure the steady rise of
farmers' income, will be continued.
China will also quicken the pace of agricultural
technology innovation, while improving development of grassroots
organizations in rural areas, said the conference.
(Xinhua News Agency December 5, 2004)