China has over 900 million rural residents, who account for
nearly 70 percent of the nation's total population. However,
because of the unbalanced development between rural and urban
areas, an increasing number of rural workers are migrating to the
urban areas or seeking jobs in cities during sluggish farming
seasons—this large migratory population is posing a challenge to
the local management in rural regions.
Zhan Chengfu, with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, says the
central government is taking staunch efforts to safeguard the
political rights of farmers. It will also continue to enforce the
Organic Law of Villagers' Committees, so that their opinions and
suggestions can be passed on by their representatives.
"China is a nation heavily reliant on agriculture, meaning
farmers are the mainstay of our labor force, they are the most
influential part of the opinion pool. And don't forget, China's
revolution began in the countryside, and that's why their political
will should not be neglected."
As acknowledgement for good governance, the Ministry of Civil
Affairs has awarded several village-level governments' top honors
for their innovations in transparent governance. For example, in
the town of Maliu in southwest Chongqing Municipality, farmers
themselves are responsible for all policies related to the
day-to-day running of the town, such as the layout of their local
economic blueprint, fiscal budget and so on. By taking part in a
wide-range of discussions, their voices, in relation to local
affairs, are being heard, and they are increasing their trust of
the local government.
In Taicang Village, located in coastal Jiangsu Province, the
fast pace of urbanization is causing rural areas to become
fragmented, making inter-village communication more difficult.
Because of this, local villagers are electing their own
representatives to convey what they want to say to the relevant
decision makers. They are also in charge of monitoring the
government and ensuring its documents and decisions are open for
inspection by the public. In some areas, local referendums are
being held when deciding public affairs, such as resettlement
projects and requisitions of farmland.
Zhan Chengfu says the participation of farmers in their own
business is injecting vitality into rural government management,
and therefore helping to promote villagers' welfare.
"Political reforms on a grass-root level enable farmers to find
their own way of running their own government, and by doing so,
they are able to find defects and make self-adjustments."
The official also says the government will continue to promote
electoral reform, democratic governance and the rule of law in all
rural areas.
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(CRI July 23, 2007)