Premier's speech on rural issues

The State Council, or China's central government, Thursday released a recent speech by Premier Wen Jiabao on rural issues.

The Chinese premier noted in the speech that the development of the rural area is a key issue in China's national rejuvenation and long-term stability.

Premier calls for further efforts to safeguard grain supply

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has called on governments at all levels to pay more attention to maintaining the balance between grain supply and demand and to safeguard proper land use in rural areas.

China decides on further moves to protect rural workers

China will take a series of measures to further protect the rights and interests of rural workers in cities, including timely wage payment and right to education of their children, according to a government meeting.

Premier says interests of migrant rural workers must be safeguarded

The Chinese government will take measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of migrant rural workers, said Premier Wen Jiabao in a speech issued Thursday by the State Council.

The central government has published a series of policies and measures to improve working conditions and safeguard the rights and interests of migrant rural workers, which have had some effect, Wen said.

However, migrant rural workers still face relatively low payments, payment embezzlement and default, and poor working conditions. They enjoy fewer public services and lack basic social security, he said.

China aims to improve education, public health in rural areas: premier

The Chinese government will improve public services, especially education and public health, in rural areas, said Premier Wen Jiabao in a speech issued by the State Council on Thursday.

The underdevelopment of public service including education and public health is the weakest link in building a new socialist countryside, Wen said.

He called on governments at all levels to invest more in education and public health so as to improve public services in rural areas.