Party organizations and governments at all levels are required to further promote transparent and democratic administration in villages, according to a high-level meeting of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held in Beijing Friday.

Participants in the meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, presided over by General Secretary Hu Jintao, held that improving the transparency in village affairs and democratic administration of villages, as well as safeguarding the fundamental interests of villagers, constituted a major part of improving self-government by villagers and promoting socialist democracy.

It would also help to improve the Party's style of work, build a closer relationship between officials and the masses, and promote reform and all-round development of the rural areas.

Currently, 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China have formulated procedures for the election of villagers’ committees. The election of villagers' committees of the fifth or sixth terms have been completed in most areas.

More than 90 percent of the villages throughout the country have formed a system to publicize village financial and administrative affairs regularly.

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2004)