China's central government will give priority to investment in rural construction during the following five years.

Yang Qingwei, the Director General of the Investment Department of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), made the announcement Sunday at a meeting in Beijing.

The government will endeavor to improve the living and working conditions in rural areas as well as ensuring a safe drinking water supply, while also supporting a series of other programs related to the agricultural sector.

He says the government will also increase investment in the development of central and western China; in social programs; the development of science and technology; environmental protection and infrastructure.

(CRI November 14, 2005)