Jiang, who is also the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that the CPC Central Committee has given top priority to strengthening agriculture and increasing farmers' income in drafting the outline of the Tenth Five-Year Plan (2001-2005), and has always made it a guiding principle to consolidate and strengthen the fundamental status of agriculture.

Jiang made the remarks in separate group meetings of deputies from Shaanxi and Hunan provinces to the Ninth National People's Congress (NPC), in session since Monday, and exchanged views on the Outline of the Tenth Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development delivered by Premier Zhu Rongji at the opening ceremony of the current NPC session.

Jiang said that developing the western region is an important strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee, and wished a good beginning for the implementation of the strategy.

The next five to 10 years are a very critical time period for China's national economic and social development, Jiang stressed.

Jiang spoke highly of the great achievements Shaanxi has made in economic and social development since the implementation of the Ninth Five-Year Plan (1996-2000) and the conscientious efforts the province has exerted to carry out the various policies and decisions of the CPC Central Committee.

Jiang noted, both the central and local governments have given great importance to the strategy of developing the western region since its launch more than one year ago.

Construction of a series of key projects including a west-to- east gas transmission pipeline, west-to-east electricity transmission projects, large water conservancy, transport and telecom projects have been or will be kicked off gradually, Jiang said.

To do a good job of implementing the develop-west-strategy, Jiang said, greater efforts are needed in three aspects: construction of infrastructure facilities, protection of the ecological environment and development of special economies.

Jiang said, the western region is rich in natural resources such as coal, petroleum and gas. A developed transportation system, improved telecom facilities and well-built water conservancy projects can give full play to local rich resources.

To build a sound ecological environment in the western region, Jiang called for efforts to return hilly and low-yielding farmland to forested land, prevent and control desertification and harness soil erosion in a planned and step-by-step manner.

Jiang also praised the efforts of Hunan to carry out the Party's line and policies and the achievements the province has made in various fields.

Jiang once again urged the making of greater efforts to increase farmers' income, calling it a key issue which has a bearing on overall national economic development after China has achieved bumper grain harvests in recent years.

Jiang pointed out, China will continue its efforts to push forward the strategic adjustment of agricultural and rural economic structures in the next five years. "This is the basic way to increase farmers' income," Jiang noted.

He called for focusing attention on raising the quality and competitiveness of agricultural products and forcefully implementing the strategy to revitalize agriculture through scientific and technological advancement.

Jiang pointed out, rural reform should further deepen and the household contract responsibility system will remain unchanged in the new period of agricultural development.

Jiang also voiced his opinions on agricultural industrialization, tax-for-fees reform, and maintaining stability in rural areas.

Also present at the group meeting of Shaanxi NPC deputies was Jiang Zhenghua, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC.

(People's Daily 03/08/2001)