Chinese government has substantially increased budget allocations this year in an effort to support rural education.

China invested 10 billion Yuan (US$1.2 billion) in a program of nine-year compulsory education in rural areas in 2004.

This was confirmed by the Minister of Education, Zhou Ji, at an annual education conference in Beijing.

The figure is 72 percent more than last year's spending.

(CRI December 21, 2004)