China will fortify the agricultural base and intensify environmental protection for overall, well-coordinated and sustainable development, said Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan on Tuesday at the ongoing 2005 Fortune Global Forum.

To accelerate agricultural development, the government is carrying out a policy under which industry supports agriculture and cities support the countryside, Zeng said.

The government will try its best to help farmers increase incomes, he said, adding that the government will increase the supply of crop seeds, chemical fertilizers and farm vehicles for agriculture, and enable grain supply mainly by increasing domestic production.

Efforts will also be continued to improve the production conditions and living environment in rural areas.

To protect environment, China will encourage clean production and put discharge of major pollutants under strict control, Zeng said. Water pollution control should be reinforced in key regions and river valleys, and desulfurization carried out in coal-firing power stations.

Zeng urged governments at all levels to increase input in environmental protection, while at the same time pushing forward market-oriented operation of sewage treatment and garbage disposal.

Ecological conservation programs, including conversion of farm land to forests, soil erosion control and prevention of land desertification, will continue.

China will also strengthen cooperation with foreign countries in scientific and technological innovation, protect intellectual property rights and give full play to human resources, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2005)