China to boost rural incomes
BEIJING. - Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday the rural vitalisation strategy is the leading agenda for government work on agriculture, rural areas and rural residents.
Local authorities should have a profound understanding of the strategy’s importance and necessity and implement it earnestly, President Xi said as he joined a panel discussion with deputies from east China’s Shandong Province at the first session of the 13th National People’s Congress.
The quality of a moderately prosperous society and socialist modernisation is determined by agricultural competitiveness, rural environment and rural incomes, said President Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
President Xi urged local authorities to re-energise rural industries, increase incomes of rural residents, alleviate poverty and enrich rural life.
He pointed out that national food security should be ensured, agricultural structure optimised and establishment of a modern rural industry system quickened.
China should push forward talent vitalisation in rural areas, form a virtuous circle comprising of professionals, land, capital and industries, President Xi said.
Stressing cultural vitalisation in rural areas, President Xi said ideological and moral education as well as public cultural services should be strengthened in the countryside.
The president underlined ecological vitalisation and green development in rural areas. The three-year action plan to improve the rural living environment must be implemented, while the ongoing “toilet revolution” will be carried forward.
He highlighted better governance and strengthened leadership of the CPC in rural regions to establish a modern administrative system for the rural society.
The rural vitalisation strategy should be carried out step by step, and “vanity projects” should be completely eradicated, he said.
President Xi asked authorities to respect the wishes of rural residents and turn their desire for a better life into a force driving rural vitalisation, protecting their fundamental interests and bringing them common prosperity.
President Xi also stressed the strategic importance of the ocean in China’s pursuit of high-quality development, urging progress in the construction of worldclass seaports, a modern maritime industry system, and a green and sustainable marine ecological environment to push for the building of maritime power.