Campaign for better toilets sign of reform

Central leadership vows to improve living conditions of rural residents

Editor's Note: Starting Monday, China Daily will publish a series of preview stories focusing on major issues expected to be discussed at the two sessions - the annual gathering of the nation's top legislature and its top body of political advisers. The two sessions will start in early March.

When Zhao Yan visited her boyfriend's hometown three years ago, she drank as little water as possible because it was - as she put it - "a real torture" to go to the shabby toilet in the rural village.