Plans aim to boost life in rural areas

Guizhou province's government has started a "prosperous villages" plan in rural areas to boost economic development and improve quality of life.

"The plan is an important part of our 'beautiful countryside' program and the government spent more than 2.1 billion yuan ($336 million) last year to further improve rural infrastructure," said Chen Yiqin, executive vice-governor of Guizhou.

She said the plan aims to balance development between rural and urban areas and lay solid foundations to allow the entire province to be financially comfortable by 2020.