Vice Premier Hui Liangyu encouraged farm product wholesalers to improve the healthy circulation of farm products in a letter to congratulate the foundation of the Farm Product Wholesaler Association in Beijing on Friday.

He said the association would play a significant role in improving the living standard of farmers and urged it to act as a bridge between the government and local agencies.

Farm product wholesalers emerged as China started rural economic reform. They have brought farm products into the market and provided information and services to local farmers.

The association is co-founded by the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives, Chinese Communist Youth League, All-China Women's Federation, and State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2007)