Xi Jinping instructs Sichuan lawmakers in agriculture reform, poverty alleviation

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Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of agriculture and called for increased efforts in poverty alleviation during a group deliberation in Beijing with deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC) from Sichuan Province on Wednesday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with a delegation of Sichuan lawmakers in Beijing on March 8, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Pushing supply-side reform

Xi emphasized the prioritization of agricultural development. He said farming in China has moved into a new phase and that major problems in the industry have shifted from insufficient produce to structural contradictions, especially on the supply side.

According to the president, China will push agricultural supply-side reforms and explore growing sources in rural areas. Also, the country will allow the market to play a greater role and focus more on the quality of agricultural products, improve production efficiency and encourage better education.

Concern for Sichuan’s 'cliff-edge villagers'

Xi said his heart broke when he learned of the situation of people in remote Atule’er of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, who need to climb 17 rattan ladders if they want to leave or come home to their village.

The photo taken on May 14, 2016 shows children climbing up a cliff on a vine ladder to an isolated village on the top of a mountain in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. /CFP Photo

When he was told a steel ladder had replaced the rattan ladder, he became a little bit easier.

The president stressed the importance of precision in the battle against poverty, saying that poverty alleviation should make a clear division of responsibilities and focus on people most in need.

Greeting women on International Women's Day

Xi sent his best wishes for female lawmakers, political advisors and staff at the annual sessions of China's national legislature and political advisory body, and to women compatriots of all ethnic groups and from all walks of life in China.

Since the first session of the 5th National People's Congress in 1978, the number of female deputies in China’s top legislature has been on the rise.

Gender variation in NPC deputies. /CGTN Photo

And China is gradually boosting gender equality in political as well as other fields, and the promotion of gender equality is recognized as being of great importance to China’s development.