There are five major reasons for China's central authorities to put forward the concept of building a "new socialist countryside", said Chen Xiwen, deputy director of the Office of Central Financial Work Leading Group, at a press conference Wednesday.

First, China's agriculture is not yet a foundation solid enough to meet the requirements of China's socio-economic development and the improvement of people's livelihood

Second, China must treat earnestly the widening gap between urban and rural areas.

The per capita net income of Chinese farmers was 3,255 yuan, while the disposable income of urban residents was 10, 493 yuan, 1:3.22.

Third, the conditions have become available for industry to help boost agriculture and for urban areas to help the countryside.

Fourth, a new socialist countryside is a natural requirement for expanding domestic demand.

Five, it's also a natural requirement for building a harmonious socialist society, achieving social fairness and justice and making the benefits of economic and social development available to all people.

A new countryside doesn't mean a new village

Chen said at the press conference that recently, some areas tried to build small communities by merging some villages. It concerns farmers' relocation and old houses to be torn down to make room for new ones. Since different areas have different conditions, we mustn't adopt or promote any "one-size-fits-all" practice, said Chen.

Chen said the construction of a "new socialist countryside" bears distinct features of the times, and its objectives and tasks are complete, systematic and integrated. The concept of building a "new socialist countryside" should not be simplified as building a new village.

Chen said, five standards for the long-term campaign were put forward at the Fifth Plenum of the 16th Central Committee of the Communist of China (CPC). They are advanced productivity, well-off livelihood, civilized lifestyles, tidy appearance of villages and democratic administration.

Specifically, this year's "No. 1 Document" by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council has explicitly listed out five aspects on which the construction should be focused, namely in economy, politics, culture, society and grassroots Party building in rural areas.

By People's Daily Online