At a central government working conference on agriculture, authorities pledged to maintain agriculture-friendly policies to keep production and farmers' incomes on an upward trend in 2005

Vice Premier Hui Liangyu presided over the two-day meeting in Beijing, where participants discussed a resolution on agricultural issues drafted by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council.

In 2004, China maintained positive trends in economic and social development and made remarkable progress in agricultural and rural development, participants agreed. Grain production rose, as did farmers' incomes, and great strides were made in rural reforms.

However, they noted that problems remain and must be given careful attention. The country must complete the tasks set out in the 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-2005) for National Economy and Social Progress in the coming year.

Meeting participants agreed that in 2005, the government should further reduce agricultural taxes, increase financial subsidies to farmers, invest more money in rural infrastructure and increase financial assistance to main grain-production counties.

(Xinhua News Agency December 30, 2004)