Xi urges efforts on rural vitalization

President Xi Jinping attends at the annual central rural work conference in Beijing, on Dec 29, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

From a strategic perspective, only by achieving rural vitalization will the dream of national rejuvenation be fulfilled, Xi said, adding that there is great potential in rural areas to further expand domestic demand.

He called for improvements to the poverty alleviation system to prevent rural people from falling back into poverty, through measures such as promoting employment and improving infrastructure and public services.

The favorable policies for the once poverty-stricken counties will be consistent for at least five years in order to ensure that the supportive measures can be further implemented, Xi said.

He stressed the importance of food security and said that Party committees at all levels must shoulder their responsibilities in this regard.

There should be further independent development of agricultural technology, Xi said. Farmers should be encouraged to plant crops with measures such as stabilizing subsidies for crop planting, improving the policy of the minimum price for crop purchases and increasing the coverage of agricultural insurance, he added.

Xi put forward seven major measures to promote rural vitalization, namely developing industries in rural areas, promoting science and knowledge, protecting the rural environment, deepening reform, improving infrastructure, integrating rural and urban development and strengthening Party building in rural areas.

Premier Li Keqiang, who chaired the meeting, said that Xi's important speech is the guide for the country's rural work in the new era.

Related departments should uphold Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, make rural development their top priority, promote rural vitalization, speed up rural modernization, and implement the measures of the CPC Central Committee, Li said.