AGRICULTURE, FARMERS AND RURAL ECONOMY

    With 900 million people living in rural areas, the issues on agriculture, farmers and rural economy have been a top agenda for the Chinese government in recent years.

    The "No. 1 Document" issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council at the beginning of the year said developing modern agriculture is the top priority in building a new socialist countryside and the central government would pump more money into rural areas and make greater efforts to equip the agriculture industry with modern technology this year.

    Last year, the per-capita income of Chinese farmers stood at 3,587 yuan, less than one third of the level of urban residents.

    MEDICAL CARE

    A 2006 national survey showed 48.9 percent of Chinese didn't bother or couldn't afford to see a doctor when they were ill and 29.6 percent refused a doctor's advice to be hospitalized because the cost was too high.

    Minister of Health Gao Qiang promises to hammer out reform of the country's medical care system in 2007, featuring increased government investment, stricter professional supervision and reduced medical costs for citizens.

    The government will continue to extend its health care network in rural areas and in urban communities. The rural cooperative medical care system will cover at least 80 percent of counties this year.

    Under the rural system, each farmer pays 10 yuan to a medical fund every year, with the state and local governments each contributing 10 yuan to the pool, too. When a farmer receives medical treatment, he could have a certain proportion of the medical expenses refunded.

    TAIWAN ISSUES

    The year of 2007 is a crucial period for opposing "Taiwan independence" and securing peace and stability across the Straits, said Yang Yi, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office under the State Council.

    This year and the following year will witness key changes in Taiwan's politics, as the island is to embrace two major elections.

    "The two sessions will further rally our willpower to propel the peaceful and stable development of cross-Strait relations in the benefits of both sides," said Xu Shiquan, member of the CPPCC National Committee.

    "HARMONIOUS SOCIETY" AND "HARMONIOUS WORLD"

    The 16th CPC Central Committee adopted the Resolution on Major Issues Regarding the Building of a Harmonious Socialist Society last October, which says social harmony is the intrinsic nature of socialism with Chinese characteristics and an important guarantee of the country's prosperity, the nation's rejuvenation and the people's happiness.

    "Harmonious society" was one of the phrases that popped up most often in the media last year, according to an annual media language analysis, and it is expected to be further discussed at the two sessions.

    China aims to build a harmonious society at home, and work with other countries to build a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity, said President Hu Jintao.