Urban interaction will aid rural progress

In the Government Work Report he delivered to China's top legislature on Monday, Premier Li Keqiang mentioned "village" at least 24 times and agriculture nine times, urging governments at all levels to make unswerving efforts to revitalize the countryside.

The report echoes the village revitalization plan published by the central authorities last month, which pledges to modernize agriculture by 2035 and comprehensively revitalize rural areas by 2050. The plan, not only sets an explicit deadline to achieve the targets but also says how they will be achieved, and it is expected to serve as a directive for governments at all levels for rural work till the middle of this century.

The timetable is ambitious, but there are some conditions in its favor.