At a central government working conference on agriculture,
authorities pledged to maintain agriculture-friendly policies to
keep production and farmers' incomes on an upward trend in 2005
Vice Premier Hui Liangyu presided over the two-day meeting in
Beijing, where participants discussed a resolution on agricultural
issues drafted by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of
China (CPC) and the State Council.
In 2004, China maintained positive trends in economic and social
development and made remarkable progress in agricultural and rural
development, participants agreed. Grain production rose, as did
farmers' incomes, and great strides were made in rural reforms.
However, they noted that problems remain and must be given
careful attention. The country must complete the tasks set out in
the 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-2005) for National Economy and Social
Progress in the coming year.
Meeting participants agreed that in 2005, the government should
further reduce agricultural taxes, increase financial subsidies to
farmers, invest more money in rural infrastructure and increase
financial assistance to main grain-production counties.
(Xinhua News Agency December 30, 2004)