China's latest five-year program to raise people's awareness of laws and legal processes will for the first time focus on farmers.

Village committees will provide an introduction to the country's legal framework to "every rural household", Dou Yupei, vice minister of civil affairs, said in Beijing Monday.

Dou hopes the country's 800 million farmers will learn to better use their democratic rights, file complaints that more comprehensive and safeguard their legitimate interests.

The ministry will also improve training for village and township officials to ensure that rural affairs are handled lawfully.

China's first five-year program to improve the public's awareness of its legal rights started in 1985. Each five-year program focuses on a particular segment of society.

In addition to farmers, government officials and employees, teenagers and private company management were also listed as key groups that will be provided with education on legal system.

(Xinhua News Agency December 5, 2006)