A senior CPC official stressed the development of socialist culture and ethics in rural areas during an inspection tour in southwest China's Guizhou Province on Thursday.

Socialist culture and ethics in rural areas are essential to the construction of a new socialist countryside, said Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China ( CPC) Central Committee.

Local governments should improve poverty reduction work, resolve practical problems for rural people and make all efforts to enrich poverty-stricken areas, said Li.

Development of socialist culture and ethics in rural areas could provide spiritual support to building a new socialist countryside, Li said, requiring the local governments to provide better cultural services for rural people.

He asked departments and officials concerned to expand coverage and improve service of radio and television broadcasts to every village in China.

He also urged local authorities to improve cultural activities for rural residents and share cultural and information resources among villagers.

(Xinhua News Agency December 16, 2005)