The building of a new countryside is essential to solving the
current problems concerning farmers, rural areas and agriculture in
China, says a commentary in Beijing News. An excerpt
follows:
The central government released a document on the building of a
new socialist countryside on Tuesday. It gives an important
explanation on issues concerning farmers, rural areas and
agriculture.
The government has set building a new socialist countryside as
the primary task in the
11th Five-Year Guidelines period (2006-10). And the new
document has given a detailed guideline.
After a few years of accumulation of economic power and policy
practices, the government is now trying to solve the issues of
farmers, rural areas and agriculture from the angle of promoting
harmonious rural-urban and socio-economic development.
The building of a new countryside is a historic transition point
in China's modernization process. Different from the rural
construction campaign in the 1920s and 1930s, which was promoted by
a group of idealist intellectuals, the new rural construction is
endorsed by the Chinese Government and supported by the whole of
Chinese society.
Since the country restarted its modernization drive in the late
1970s, especially since the mid-1980s, the national reform has
focused on cities. Now the central government has adjusted the
focus of our public policies. It is likely that over a long period
the country will boost rural construction, enhance rural reform and
accelerate our overall modernization process.
The government should mainly focus on providing public products
and services in rural areas. Education is essential to changing the
backward situation in rural areas. Investment in human resources is
important.
To build a new countryside in the market economy is a
complicated and tough project. We should get fully prepared for a
long-term and arduous task.
(China Daily February 23, 2006)