"I hope one day, all my fellow villagers will shrug off poverty, become rich, and live a better life," said Li Liancheng, the Party chief of Xixin village in Qingzu Town, Puyang City of central China's Henan Province.

Li is now in Beijing attending the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), a five yearly event to map out plans of development for the nation.

"It was impossible for me to believe that a grassroots farmer like me, from a remote small village, could be a part of the great event to discuss national affairs with leaders of the Party and state. I feel so happy and glad," he told China.org.cn.

"I'm now in a better position to implement Party policies, especially policies towards rural areas. I will make my contribution to the cause of building China into a prosperous and unified country."

China has scored soaring economic gains since the reform and opening drive launched three decades ago, but the countryside lags behind, causing concerns that the urban and rural gap might undermine social harmony. To narrow the gap has been on the top agenda of the Party and government in recent years.

At this 17th National Congress, the Party chartered a development roadmap for the country in the following five years.

According to Li, the government has already abolished the 2,600-year-old agricultural tax, exempted rural students from tuition fees for nine years of compulsory education, and introduced a medical care scheme, under which the government helped fund farmers' medical expenses.

"All the measures really reduced financial burdens on farmers," he said.

"This time, President Hu Jintao's report encourages us so much. To increase farmer's income, he calls for the Party to develop rural enterprises, expand county economies, and transfer rural labor out of farming through various channels. The Party will also enhance poverty reduction through development."

"For my village, we will train a new type of farmers, who are educated and understand both agricultural techniques and business management, and encourage them to play the major role in building a new countryside."

Li began to take charge of the village in 1991. He voluntarily taught new technologies to his fellow villagers, and in 1993, his new vegetable planting system increased everyone's income by 500 yuan.

"How can a Party cadre always think of himself? He should try to do good for other people so they can live well. As the Party chief of the village, my mind can be at ease only if every family shrugs off poverty," said Li.

In 1994, with 12 other farmers, he invested more than 120,000 yuan and built a paper-recycling factory. In 2006, supported by his villagers, he also set up a light factory.

Now all the people in his hometown have earned much more, with the average annual income of each resident expected to top 11,000 yuan in 2007.

Li has a motto: no dishonesty; serve the people. "A cadre should first think of making contributions to the state and doing good thing for people. So long as you keep these things in your heart, people will forgive you even if you do something wrong," Li said.

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Wang Ke, October 18, 2007)