Senior Chinese official Wu Guanzheng has urged government officials to work for the benefit of farmers in a drive to build a new socialist countryside.

In an inspection trip to the Ministry of Agriculture, Wu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, called on officials to work to solve outstanding issues that affect farmers' rights and interests.

Wu, also secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said problems such as random charges by officials, production and marketing of fake agricultural products, and misappropriation of government subsidies to farmers have to be curbed and those who are responsible should be held accountable.

He stressed that major undertakings relevant to farmers' rights and interests should be made public. Wu also called for a marked improvement in agricultural project supervision and the bidding system.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2006)