Farmers must be properly compensated when their land is acquired for non-agricultural purposes, according the Chinese authorities' first major document of the year.

The document, detailing a set of measures to boost development of the vast countryside, calls for improved vocational training and employment opportunities for farmers who loose their land.

In recent years, land acquisition without proper compensation to farmers has disadvantaged and angered farmers in some areas, becoming an issue that would affect stability in rural areas or even the whole society.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao once warned that "historical mistakes should never be repeated on the land issue."

The document stresses, "We must resolutely implement the most strict arable land protection system and effectively protect the basic farmland and the land-use rights of farmers," while stepping up reform of the land acquisition system.

The government will stabilize and improve the system that allows rural households to contract and use farm land, it says.

Source: Xinhua