Political advisers stress rural culture in session

A consultation session themed on strengthening basic public cultural services in rural areas was held on Tuesday by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Top political adviser Wang Yang addressed the meeting, saying the construction of public cultural services in rural areas is an important content of implementing the country's strategy of rural revitalization and building a socialist spiritual civilization.

"We need to put the people first and adapt measures to local conditions," said Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee.

He said a system of public cultural services that covers a wide range of areas should be built to give a new look to rural culture.

About 110 political advisers attended the Tuesday session, with 28 giving speeches on various topics and raising suggestions.

They made positive comments on the remarkable achievements made in the construction of basic public cultural services in rural areas and also pointed out some shortages, including lack of cultural resources and talent at the grassroots level.

Wang Rulin, a member of the standing committee of the CPPCC National Committee who headed a team to Hubei, said the survey found farmers' rights to enjoy basic cultural services can be generally guaranteed.

But there are still problems in terms of personnel, finance and equipment, Wang said, adding the work needs cooperation from many departments instead of just cultural ones.

"We should bring into play local cultural talents in rural areas," he said. "They know what kind of cultural services and products farmers like and need most."

Officials from six government sectors responded to questions put up by political members.

In April, three teams of political advisers mainly from the cultural field went to Hubei and Guizhou provinces and the Inner Mongolia autonomous region to conduct surveys on the construction of public cultural services in rural areas.