China improves quality of life for rural dwellers

cctv.com 03-11-2004 14:30

In the ongoing second plenary session of the 10th CPPCC, participants have voiced their concerns about the increasing gap between China's rural and urban areas. The Chinese government has already placed the task of raising rural incomes and balancing development at the top of its agenda. This is regarded as essential to China's healthy development.

CPPCC member Hao Ruyu delivered a speech at a group discussion on reducing the economic differences between the city and the countryside. He said it's urgent for China to solve the problem now.

Hao said, "Looking at the experience of the world's other developing countries, we found China is moving into such a period, in which the gap between the rich and the poor increases. China must solve this problem to achieve sustainable and healthy development."

The Chinese government has already realized the seriousness of the problem. Governments at all levels are making efforts to help rural dwellers improve their life. In southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the Liuzhou City government has launched three projects in its rural areas. These include building roads and bridges, constructing methane-generating pits and establishing new towns.

Deputy Magistrate Zhang Jianguo from Rongshui County, Guangxi, said, "We have launched three projects. We hope they will help improve our production and living standards, increase the farmers' income and gradually reduce the gap between the city and the countryside."

In the past year, the Liuzhou City government has allocated nearly 2 billion yuan to developing the rural infrastructure. More than 50,000 methane-generating pits have been built in the rural areas. The farmers are pleased with this clean source of energy that provides power for their cooking and lighting.

Wei Jiancheng, Pangrong villager of Liuzhou, Guangxi, said, "We thank the government for helping us build the methane-generating pits. We don't have to cut firewood now; we use the cheap and clean energy. I used to pay more than 10 yuan each month for electricity, but now we only pay 1 yuan."

Local officials say they plan to improve rural infrastructure and link more new towns. To this end, the government has made it a priority to build more roads and bridges and improve the countryside's transport conditions and ease the transport of farm produce to city markets. Other projects, such as drainage systems and environmental protection initiatives are also underway.

Editor:Zhang  Source:CCTV.com