Guideline aims to foster industry in rural areas

A guideline on the vitalization of industries in rural areas issued by the State Council on Friday aims to develop sound and mature industries in rural areas in five to 10 years.

Different rural regions should develop industries according to their own advantages, the guideline said, and farmers should benefit as much as possible from the added value yielded by the industries. The industries should also create as many jobs for rural people as possible.

The idea that clear waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets should be implemented and the environment must be protected while developing the industries, the guideline said.

The industries in need of development include modern farming and livestock breeding, tourism, agricultural produce processing and services for farmers.

The guideline emphasized the need for high-quality, environmental friendly development and encouraged the nurturing of industries that are land, energy and water efficient. Backward production facilities that the government has ordered be shut down and those that pollute the environment must not be allowed in the countryside.

To promote innovation in rural areas, the guideline called for the establishment of national agricultural high-tech industries demonstration zones and national agricultural science and technology parks.

A mechanism should be set up where companies, universities and research institutes work together to solve key technological problems, and the authorities should help nurture large seed companies with competitive edges.

The guideline also encouraged people, including migrant workers and veterans, to start businesses and innovative projects in rural areas.

More financial support for vocational students

More financial support will be provided to students learning vocational skills, the State Council decided at an executive meeting on Wednesday.

From this year on, the number of students in higher vocational colleges eligible for the national scholarship will increase to 15,000 from 5,000.

National grants will also cover more higher vocational college students, with the grants increasing to an average of 3,300 yuan ($482) per student, up from 3,000 yuan.

The country will also set up a scholarship for students in secondary vocational schools this year. As many as 20,000 students will be covered by the scholarship every year, with each one getting 6,000 yuan.

The government clearly stated its intention to increase scholarships and grants for higher vocational colleges in the Government Work Report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang in March.

It will speed up the development of modern vocational education to ease employment pressure and a shortage of talent with high-end skills, Li said in the report.

Higher vocational colleges will enroll 1 million more students this year, and senior high school graduates, veterans, unemployed people and migrant workers are encouraged to study there, Li said.