The first book on the development of rural enterprises -- China's Township and Village Enterprises -- has been published by Foreign Languages Press.

Led by chief editor He Kang, a World Food Prize laureate and former minister of agriculture, a group of experts and rural economic researchers spent three years preparing this book.

This book details the rise and development of TVEs (Township and Village Enterprises) -- a leading force that has propelled China's market economy forward, a vital pillar of the rural economy and an important component of the national economy.

According to data contained in the book, the number of rural enterprises stood at more than 22.13 million, they employed more than 138.66 million people, making a great contribution to the national economic development and social stability.

The book, in English and 436 pages, presents both a general picture and personal profiles of farmer-turned entrepreneurs, with detailed feature stories.

Well supported by a rich collection of data, graphics and statistics updated to 2004, easily accessible reference with well-indexed names and terms peculiar to China, the book is considered suitable for researchers into the Chinese economy, especially that of rural China, Chinese farmers and agriculture, as well as for anyone who wants a peep at the secrets of China's rapid economic growth.

By taking a look at the editorial board members, any reader should be assured that this is the most authoritative book on China's rural enterprise development. Chief editor He Kang is the former minister of agriculture, whose ministry oversees all rural enterprises in China.

Deputy chief editors include Guo Shutian (former director of Policy and Law Department, the Ministry of Agriculture), Ma Jiesan (former director of TVE Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture), Zhang Yi (former deputy director of TVE Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture), Zhang Tong (senior economic administrator of the Information Center of the Ministry of Agriculture), Yu Junmin (former director of Features Department, China Daily), and Huang Peimin (researcher of Institute of Agricultural Economics, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences).

(China Daily December 6, 2005)