President stresses ‘toilet revolution’ in rural areas

President Xi Jinping has highlighted the importance of advancing the “toilet revolution” in rural areas, saying that quality and practical results must be the priority.

The nation must continue to see the “toilet revolution” as an important aspect of the rural vitalization process, and give emphasis to adjusting measures to local circumstances, Xi said in an instruction published on Friday.

China launched the “toilet revolution” to increase the number and improve the sanitation of toilets at tourist sites, and to improve public toilets in cities and build better toilets in rural areas.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that the “toilet revolution” has been advanced and sanitary toilets have been promoted, which significantly improved the living environment in rural areas.

It is important to give priority to quality and pragmatic results, rather than blindly seeking numbers and progress, and oppose vanity projects that waste money and human resources, he said.

Party committees and governments at various levels must assume their due responsibilities and make coordinated efforts to ensure that the program is conducted properly, he added.

Xi’s instruction came as a national conference on the “toilet revolution” was held on Friday in Hengyang, Hunan province.

Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua said at the conference that it is important to put quality first and ensure that each renovated toilet can be put to proper use.

Hu said that the renovation of toilets must be conducted in parallel with wastewater treatment to ensure that sanitary standards can be met.

He also urged steps to explore suitable ways and methods in line with local circumstances and ensure that projects are piloted successfully before being applied in a larger area.

It is important to give play to the principal role of farmers and ensure that they can truly benefit from the campaign, he added.