BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Vice-President Hu Jintao Friday
called for efforts to promote the sustained development of
agriculture and the rural economy, increase the farmers' income by
a fairly big margin, and maintain stability in the countryside.
  This is of decisive significance to maintaining the overall
situation of reform, development and stability, and to the
realization of China's development targets set for the new century,
Hu told deputies from Hebei Province to the National People's
Congress (NPC).
  The vice-president joined the NPC deputies in deliberating
three reports on government work, social and development plan, and
budget.
  He urged Party committees and governments at all levels in the
northern province to have a full understanding of the vital
importance of issues concerning agriculture, rural areas and
farmers, and give top priority to related work.
  The province should go all out to increase farmers' income,
restructure agriculture and the rural economy to meet market
demand, speed up construction of rural infrastructure facilities,
further improve farmers' living conditions, and create
opportunities for more farmers to turn to non-farming business.
  The vice-president also called on leading cadres at all levels
to improve their work style and go to the grassroots level in the
countryside so as to lead farmers in their effort to become rich.