Narrowing the urban-rural income gap needs greater priority, analysts say (China Daily) 

China Daily published an article stating that greater priority must be given to narrowing the income gap between China’s urban and rural areas. Senior research fellow Kevin Chen who works in the IFPRI-Beijing office said the vitalization of rural areas is a key step for the nation to complete a transition to high-quality growth and achieve a basic socialist modernization by 2025. “Poverty reduction and rural vitalization are significant in helping reduce inequality and assisting the underprivileged to increase their level of nutrition, health, and education, thus providing high-caliber talent for the nation’s development.” Chen added that in the overall budget, the central government should continue to increase financial support for rural areas to support vitalization efforts, especially in less-developed western areas of the country.  “The difficult part of rural vitalization lies in areas that have just shaken off poverty, so greater fiscal input is needed to promote inclusive and sustainable development.” Farmers also need to achieve more substantial gains from their rural homesteads, while measures restricting the flow of residents from rural to urban areas should be phased out, Chen added. The government must encourage increased private capital for rural vitalization and attract more social funds for green development.