National Rural Work Conference opens in Beijing

The National Rural Work Conference Bewas held in ijing from Dec.23 to 25. In order to implement the decisions of the Third Plenary Session of the18th CPC Central Committee, the Central Economic Work Conference, the Central Urbanization Work Conference and the Central Rural Work Conference, and study the important instructions of General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping, and Premiere Li Keqiang, the National Rural Work Conference reviewed agricultural and rural achievements in 2013, discussed major policy ideas to deepen rural reforms, and identified working priorities of next year.

Member of the Political Bureau of CPC and Vice Premier Wang Yang made specific instructions for the Conference, and highlighted a number of essential points as follows: despite of various difficulties and hardships in 2013, the grain output increased for the tenth consecutive year, the growth rate of farmers' income maintained at a high level for the tenth consecutive year, and agricultural and rural undertakings made great headways with a sound momentum, laying a solid basis for the steady progress of overall economic and social development. It was notable that these achievements were hard-won and embodied consorted efforts of agricultural staff at all levels, receiving recognition of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and appreciation of all sectors of society. However, Wang''s instructions also pointed out that it would be an arduous task to step up agricultural and rural reform next year. Therefore, he hoped that all the staff would be as committed as ever and devote themselves to advance modern agricultural progress and comprehensive rural reform, in order to facilitate steady growth of agricultural production and farmers'' income, and serve the overall interests of socioeconomic development nationwide.

At the Conference, Minister Han Changfu delivered a speech and noted that decisions of the central authorities and instructions of the top leaders showed great foresights and right direction ahead, and integrated strategic visions of the new central leadership on "Sannong"(agriculture, rural area and farmers) issues. The central authorities put food security on top of the agenda of economic work, stressed the fundamental significance of agriculture in promoting the "balanced development of industrialization, IT application, urbanization and agricultural modernization", and adopted "Sannong" as the top priority in all their work to incorporate both short-term and long-term considerations. Agricultural authorities at all levels should study and grasp the essence of these decisions and instructions, strengthen the sense of mission, responsibility and urgency, and intensify their efforts in practical implementation, with an aim to enhance the fundamental status of agriculture, boost agricultural and rural undertakings in a down-to-earth manner, and increase support to the overall socio-economical development.

Vice Minister of Agriculture Yu Xinrong chaired the Conference. Officials of MOA at the ministerial and department levels, as well as representatives from other competent central authorities, provinces(autonomous regions and municipalities) and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps attended the Conference.