BEIJING, March 14 (UPI) -- Rural reforms in China have entered a new phase where industry supports agriculture and cities help the countryside, premier Wen Jiabao told reporters Monday.
Wen made the comment at a press conference following the 10-day session of the National People's Congress in Beijing.
The premier prefaced one remark by saying he was "no economist," but that "moderate prosperity and modernization of the countryside," were fundamental to development in China.
"China's rural reform and development has entered a second phase, with industry expected to nurture agriculture and cities to support rural areas," the premier stated.
First, officials should focus on reforming rural taxes and government fees, Wen said.
Second, rural productivity should be improved by building more water conservation projects and using agriculture-related science and technology more widely, the premier noted.
Third, China should improve education, science and technology, and culture in rural areas, he said.
Wen's fourth point was that grassroots democracy should be promoted by enhancing the ability of self-governance among villagers, implementing direct elections at the village level, and increasing transparency in administrative affairs at the village and county levels.
