Chinese vice premier stresses innovation, entrepreneurship for rural development

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang (2nd R, front), also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits an expo before a meeting on farmers' entrepreneurship and innovation in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 10, 2017. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang Friday stressed entrepreneurship and innovation as a key way to boost development in rural areas.

"Efforts must be made to create a good environment for entrepreneurship and innovation in rural areas to attract more talent and inject new impetus to rural modernization," he said.

Wang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a meeting on farmers' entrepreneurship and innovation. Prior to the meeting, the vice premier visited a related expo and talked with farmer entrepreneurs to learn about new technology and businesses in rural areas.

"Technologies such as the internet, big data and artificial intelligence should be used more frequently in rural areas to boost innovation and upgrade the quality, efficiency and engine of rural development," he told the meeting.

Wang said more work should be done to nurture a new-type of farmers who are more knowledgable, skilled and innovative, and grow a new type of rural businesses.

He encouraged authorities to explore and share their successful local experiences.