Recently, the No. 1 document of the central government for 2010 was published. Themed with strengthening the urban and rural integration and further consolidating development foundation of agriculture and countryside, the document puts forward a series of measures which will benefit hundreds of millions of farmers in employment, social security, education,and other fields of rural social causes. The farmers' production and life will be further improved.

NEW ERA OF FINANCIAL AID TO AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS

The document points out that the government will continuously increase the total investment and steadily raise the proportion for agriculture, countryside and farmers. It is also put forward that the development of agriculture and countryside should be prioritized in financial expenditure. The fixed assets investment in budget should give priority to agricultural infrastructure and livelihood projects in rural areas. The profit of land selling should come first for rural land development and infrastructure construction.

NEW POLICIES TO IMPROVE RURAL RESIDENTS' LIFE

The document also stages out a series of new measures to quicken the improvement of people's livelihood in the countryside and narrow the gap of public undertakings between urban and rural areas. Among these are the implementation of a new round of rural power grid reconstruction, policy support for farmer laborers returning from cities to start business in the countryside or work nearby and promotion of subsidizing home appliances, motor cars and motorcycles to rural areas.

FAN XIAOLIN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR POLICY RESEARCH OFFICE OF CPC XJ COMMITTEE:

"The policy allows different places to choose and add one more appliance into the list in line with the local realities. The subsidizing scope is also expanded to cover workers on state-owned farms and forest farms."

BREAKTHROUGH IN RURAL FINANCIAL SERVICE

It is emphasized in the document that financial institutions in rural areas are encouraged to provide loans to farmers in building houses and buying cars and home appliances, as well as enlarge credit issuing for starting business. More support should be provided in terms of policy finance to the key fields and weak points of rural reform and development, and to expand supporting areas of agricultural development banks.

FAN XIAOLIN,  DEPUTY DIRECTOR POLICY RESEARCH OFFICE OF CPC XJ COMMITTEE:

"We will promote the rural financial service. It is pointed out for the 1st time to provide basic financial service to all towns and townships within 3 years. By expanding the supporting areas of agricultural development banks, more policy funds will be used for development of agriculture, countryside and farmers."