Training village Party chiefs crucial to reduce rural poverty: NPC deputy

Li Liancheng, the NPC deputy from Xixin village in Central China's Henan province, shares his opinion during the two sessions in Beijing, March 5, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

To reduce poverty in rural areas, more money should be allocated to train Party chiefs in villages as they are at the forefront of poverty-alleviation program, said Li Liancheng, NPC deputy from Xixin village in Central China's Henan province.

"The rural area is the main battlefield in fight against poverty. Only when the Party chief of the village knows how to carry out poverty relief program can the villagers accelerate their pace to get rid of poverty," he said.

Li said the country's first rural Party chief training academy has been set up in his village and it has become so popular that applicants have to book classes more than six months in advance.

"More than 8,000 people have attended the training since last October. Many are still on the waiting list," he said.

On the role of a village Party chief, Li cited the process of supply-side structural reform in agriculture. "What farmers decide to grow should match market demand. Who will tell them what is the market demand? That is the Party chief's job. The Party chief should know both policies and market currents," he told Farmer's Daily.

Li cherishes the opportunity to be an NPC deputy. "I have spent my whole life in rural areas. So it makes me very happy to tell farmers' story at the annual two sessions."

This is the 15th time that 66-year-old Li has raised problems close to farmers' heart at the annual two sessions. Since becoming the village Party chief 26 years ago, his guidance has increased the living standard of his village.

He also said more policies aimed at safeguarding environment and boosting infrastructure in rural areas will be adopted, so that farmers' sense of happiness and achievement is enhanced.