Rural development key to achieving national goal

BEIJING - The key to building a moderately prosperous society lies in the rural areas, according to a scholar with the top academic institute of the Communist Party of China.

Han Baojiang, deputy director of the economic department at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, reiterated the importance of a coordinated development of both urban and rural areas.

He was outlining his views in a written commentary on how to attain the goal of completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2020.

The national goal was first raised in the keynote report to the 18th CPC National Congress earlier this month.

In his article for China Economic Weekly, Han defined a moderately prosperous society in all respects to be one with "concerted, balanced development," calling for common prosperity and improved social justice and efficiency.

Official data showed that in the first three quarters of 2012, China's per capita disposable income for urban residents stood at 18,427 yuan ($2,929), almost three times that of its rural residents. The urban-rural gap leaves "large room for improvement," Han said.

The key lies in rural areas, and education remains central to constructing a moderately prosperous society in the countryside, Han said.

He also envisioned such a society to be "a happy society," where each member feels content with better living standards and improved quality of life.

He pointed out that China's current systems of social security, health, education and housing remain unsound.

"The next eight years are a crucial period," Han said. He added that the government needs to narrow the gap between the rural and the urban, boost regional economies and support underdeveloped regions.

Han also urged structural upgrade, industrial innovation, environmental protection, social equity and justice in the article.

The central government has vowed to double China's 2010 GDP and per capita income by 2020.