Premier promises increased spending to address wealth gap
The central government would increase spending in rural areas to calm growing discontent from people left behind in the mainland's economic boom, Premier Wen Jiabao told a State Council meeting.
'Farmers' democratic rights should be protected to ensure they can enjoy material benefits,' according to a speech by Mr Wen released by Xinhua.
'For a long time, the economic development of our country has been unbalanced. Cities have advanced very quickly, but the countryside has stagnated,' Mr Wen said. 'First and foremost, government budgetary injections have to be aimed at the villages.
'Allocations to rural areas will be more than last year,' he said, without giving figures.
Mr Wen said financial institutions would also have to restructure the lending systems for farmers.