China' top ten news stories on agriculture in 2004 unveiled

China' top ten news stories on agriculture in 2004 and top news figures were unveiled by Farmer's Daily and the magazine China's Rural Areas and ten Beijing-based media on January 15.

The top ten news stories are:

1. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) issued "Central Document No.1" on promoting farmers' increased income.

2. Third paragraph under Article 10 of the Chinese Constitution was amended to protect the interests of farmers.

3. The state adopted measures on subsidies directly to grain, to improved variety of crops and to farm machinery and the reduction of agriculture tax, and announced to completely exempt it within five years.

4. Grain production nationwide saw favorable turn and farmers' incomes realized a fast growth.

5. China claimed victory in the combat against bird flu.

6. China witnessed relatively wide "shortage of farmer-turned workers."

7. China's Ministry of Agriculture took comprehensive measures to enhance the overall agricultural production capability.

8. The grain purchase market was completely liberalized.

9. The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) adopted Law on Promoting Agricultural Mechanization.

10. Corn and cotton started to be traded in the futures market.

Ten persons including Chen Zehui and Jiao Yuejin were selected the fourth batch of top news figures among grassroots leaders in rural areas nationwide.

By People's Daily Online