 From our archives
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-07-24 07:34 July 21, 1983 Reform in rural science The State Science and Technology Commission has called for reforms in China's science and technology system. It called for the establishment of a rural science research and extension network by pooling the efforts of institutions run by separate administrative departments. The commission urged that scientists and technicians serve the all-round development of China's countryside in housing development and research on small hydro-electric power stations, wind power, solar energy and fire-wood forests. Help extended to low-income homes Peasant households lacking able-bodied laborers are being assisted by collectives in the coastal province of Jiangsu in East China, according to the Provincial Civil Affairs Bureau. In the past, these households received relief materials from local governments or collectives. After the job responsibility system was instituted in the rural areas in 1979, rural communes have made efforts to aid these rural families who have disabled members or other special problems to develop sideline occupations to boost their income. In 1981, 2 million of the 50 million rural people in the province were in the low-income category. Now one-quarter of the former low-income groups are better off as a result of public help. Major facelift gives Chengdu a new look Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, has been given a facelift with the demolition of old houses, and the building of new 12-storey blocks. The city has built 1.1 million sq m of housing annually since 1979, said Cheng Caocai, head of the Department of Construction under Chengdu Municipal engineering bureau. Since 1978 an annual average of 10 km of road has been paved, and the People's Avenue is under construction in the city center. The east part, 8.6 km long and 50 m wide, is due to be completed soon.  (China Daily 07/24/2008 page9) |
