Farmers' per capita income hits $735

The per capita annual net income of Chinese farmers rose to a high of 5,000 yuan ($735) this year, up more than 6 percent from a year ago, a rural work meeting revealed yesterday.

The government will step up efforts to stimulate rural consumption and raise rural living standards to promote economic growth and ensure social stability, said a statement released at the conclusion of the Central Conference on Rural Work.

"The remarkable achievement of the nation's rural development had consolidated the basis for the economic recovery, and contributed to social harmony and stability," said the statement.