China has over 900 million rural residents, who account for nearly 70 percent of the nation's total population. However, because of the unbalanced development between rural and urban areas, an increasing number of rural workers are migrating to the urban areas or seeking jobs in cities during sluggish farming seasons—this large migratory population is posing a challenge to the local management in rural regions.

Zhan Chengfu, with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, says the central government is taking staunch efforts to safeguard the political rights of farmers. It will also continue to enforce the Organic Law of Villagers' Committees, so that their opinions and suggestions can be passed on by their representatives.

"China is a nation heavily reliant on agriculture, meaning farmers are the mainstay of our labor force, they are the most influential part of the opinion pool. And don't forget, China's revolution began in the countryside, and that's why their political will should not be neglected."

As acknowledgement for good governance, the Ministry of Civil Affairs has awarded several village-level governments' top honors for their innovations in transparent governance. For example, in the town of Maliu in southwest Chongqing Municipality, farmers themselves are responsible for all policies related to the day-to-day running of the town, such as the layout of their local economic blueprint, fiscal budget and so on. By taking part in a wide-range of discussions, their voices, in relation to local affairs, are being heard, and they are increasing their trust of the local government.

In Taicang Village, located in coastal Jiangsu Province, the fast pace of urbanization is causing rural areas to become fragmented, making inter-village communication more difficult.

Because of this, local villagers are electing their own representatives to convey what they want to say to the relevant decision makers. They are also in charge of monitoring the government and ensuring its documents and decisions are open for inspection by the public. In some areas, local referendums are being held when deciding public affairs, such as resettlement projects and requisitions of farmland.

Zhan Chengfu says the participation of farmers in their own business is injecting vitality into rural government management, and therefore helping to promote villagers' welfare.

"Political reforms on a grass-root level enable farmers to find their own way of running their own government, and by doing so, they are able to find defects and make self-adjustments."

The official also says the government will continue to promote electoral reform, democratic governance and the rule of law in all rural areas.
 
(CRI July 23, 2007)