Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao on Monday pledged that his government would increase the
funding for rural development this year, the latest of a series of
official moves aimed at speeding up the modernization of China's
vast countryside.
Addressing the closing ceremony of a high-level seminar with the
theme of "building a socialist new countryside," Wen highlighted
the importance of rural development, calling it a "major historic
mission during the process of the country's modernization."
The premier's promise came only days after Chinese President Hu Jintao
made a similar speech last Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the
seminar, participated by all central government ministers and
provincial heads from all over the country.
Experts said that the two leader's speeches provide a clear-cut
definition of the fresh development concept of "building a
socialist new countryside," first put forth at a plenary session of
the Central Committee of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC)
late last year.
The experts believe the Chinese leadership has decided to make
"building a socialist new countryside" a top priority in the
country's pursuit of modernization, designed to be initially
achieved in mid 21st century.
In his Tuesday speech, President Hu said that building a
socialist new countryside will be the "most arduous and toughest"
task for China on its road to modernization and common
prosperity.
It is imperative to properly handle the relationship between
industrial and agricultural development, and between urban and
rural development, Hu said.
Political analysts here noted that the just-concluded seminar
was the fourth of its kind since 2003, with the previous three
focusing on "very important topics" like "the important thought of
'Three Represents'," "a scientific view of development," and
"building a harmonious socialist society."
"The holding of such a high-level seminar itself has reflected
the strategic importance of the building of a socialist new
countryside," said Ke Bingsheng, director of a rural economic
research center under the Ministry of Agricultural.
In his Monday speech, Premier Wen again stressed the necessity
to balance urban and rural development and to increase financial
support to agricultural and rural development.
The country shall allocate more social and economic resources to
the underdeveloped countryside, including more public spending in
the rural areas, improved public services for the rural residents,
and a shift of focus in national infrastructure construction in
favor of the rural areas, he elaborated.
Ke, the rural problem researcher, said that the week-long
seminar will help improve senior officials' understanding of the
importance of rural development, and will prompt them to provide
more financial support to rural areas at all levels.
The ruling Communist Party of China outlined the task of
"building a socialist new countryside" last October when unveiling
its blueprint for the country's overall development in the coming
five years.
During the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays which fell at the end
of January, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao both
went to the countryside and celebrated the traditional festival
with the farmers.
Experts believe this has sent a clear signal that the leadership
are determined to make the country's countryside a much better
place characterized by more balanced and harmonious social and
economic development.
Premier Wen said earlier that building a socialist new
countryside should not be interpreted as merely constructing
villages, although changing the face of the countryside does
require such construction.
Experts predict that in the coming months, a series of concrete
policies would be announced to back rural development.
Wen has said that this year public spending on rural development
should exceed that of last year, though the details of the budget
will not be available until the annual session of the national
legislature is convened early next month.
But the premier has made it clear that increased spending on
education, public health and culture would be used mainly in the
countryside, while the urban areas should support rural development
through various channels.
The country will also encourage the private sector to invest in
the countryside, the premier added.
(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2006)