President Hu Jintao Reiterates the Fundamental Importance of Agriculture in Chinese Economy

Chinese President Hu Jintao has reiterated the need to reinforce the fundamental importance of agriculture in developing the country's economy during a visit to northwestern China.

Hu Jintao inspected the city of Yulin, in northwest China's Shaanxi Province this week. The visit was made soon after the Communist Party of China Central Committee ended its latest Plenary Session, in which favourable measures for farmers were announced.

While visiting a village on the city outskirts, the President promised local corn farmers that the government would gradually increase subsidies and raise the minimum prices paid for crops.

Hu Jintao asked the farmers to place their trust in the rural land policy, just adopted by the CPC's session, to lease their contracted farmland or transfer their land-use rights.

The new policy is expected to boost the scale of farm production and provide funds for farmers to start new businesses.

In another village, livestock breeders told Hu Jintao that their living conditions are improving by raising pigs and growing crops. The President responded favourably to the news.

"The central government's policy on assisting pig breeding will remain stable so that you don't have to worry about any policy changes. Now we should think about how to improve the quality of livestock as well as prevent and control epidemic diseases by resorting to the use of science and technology. It will help the breeding industry further develop and you will also benefit from it."

Hu Jintao also told the accompanying provincial officials that the basic situation of China's economic development was still good amid the international financial tsunami and the world economic slowdown.

He said governments at all levels, and the public, should remain confident and be prepared to continue the push for economic growth. He added that government should make more efforts to stimulate domestic consumer needs.