Peasants' Incomes Should Be Raised: Chinese Premier

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, April 04, 2002

Peasants' Incomes Should Be Raised: Chinese Premier

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Premier Zhu Rongji has called on the nation to be fully aware of the importance of raising peasants' incomes and improving agriculture, at the current stage of China's economic development and after its entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO).

During his inspection tour in the northern province of Shanxi during the period 29 March � 2 April, Zhu said agriculture is now a weak link in the national economy, and the slow growth of peasants' incomes constitutes a great hindrance to further economic growth.

If not solved properly, the issue could undermine China's reform, development and stability, he warned.

Now that China has become a WTO member, its agriculture will confront new challenges in the near future, and the task of raising peasants' incomes will become more difficult, said the premier.

To cope with the new situation, priority should be given to accelerating the pace of returning arable land to forests, stepping up agricultural restructuring, pushing forward the rural taxation reform, raising peasants' incomes by every possible means and substantially reducing the burden on the peasants.

He stressed that returning arable land to forests is a significant step toward adjusting the agricultural structure and stepping up ecological construction. It is also the most immediate and most effective way to raise peasants' incomes.

During his tour, Premier Zhu visited rural households, schools, natural forest protection projects and pilot projects of returning arable land to forests, and inspected a local steel plant and local urban construction projects.

Premier Zhu on agriculture, rural work and increase of farmer's incomes (From Government Work Report 2002)

Accelerating the Development of Agriculture and the Rural Economy and Increasing the Incomes of Farmers

Developing the agricultural productive forces and raising farmers' purchasing power are an important aspect of the effort to stimulate domestic demand, and have a bearing on overall national economic development and social stability.

The following must be done to increase farmers' incomes considerably as fast as possible.

First, returning more farmland to forests.

Second, deepening the reform of rural taxes and administrative charges and the reform of the grain and cotton distribution systems.

Third, making efforts to increase sources of income for farmers.

Fourth, supporting agriculture more effectively.

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