BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Jubilant Chinese farmers performed folk dance on a float moving past Tian'anmen Square Thursday morning, revealing their rejoice at New China's grandest National Day parade.

    With a theme of "Constructing the socialist new countryside", the float was surrounded by farmer representatives wearing colorful folk clothes and waving wheatears.

A float waits to take part in a parade of the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, on Chang'an Street in central Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Gang) Photo Gallery>>>

    Taking more than half of China's population, a well-off rural society is fundamental to the prosperity of the entire nation.

    Rural development was once left behind by the nation's market economic reform started in the 1980s which emphasized urban expansion and private business.

    To narrow the rural-urban disparity, government has attached unprecedented importance on rural problems over the past decade.

    It initiated a program in 2005 of constructing new socialist countryside, which aimed to let the 900 million rural people sufficiently share the benefits of the economic success.

    The government has massively beefed up rural spending to build roads, water conservation facilities, and expand power grids.

    Farmers are encouraged to diversify their ways of making money as 225 million became migrant workers who landed non-agriculture jobs at their hometowns or in cities by the end of last year.

    Social and cultural benefits have been greatly improved for farmers as half of rural households have telephones and 98 percent of townships have access to Internet. All schoolchildren enjoy free compulsory education.

    The new cooperative medical system ensures affordable medical services for rural population. And a pilot rural pension insurance program will cover ten percent of China's counties by the end of this year.

    From 1949 to 2008, the net income for farmers increased from 44yuan to 4,761 yuan a year. However, the 2008 figure was only one third of the revenue earned by urban residents, which requires the persistent efforts of the Chinese government to bridge the gap.

Float demonstrates Chinese cultural prosperity

    BEIJING, Oct.1 (Xinhua) -- A float with a shining fan-shaped picture of traditional Peking opera performer on a civilian parade formation showcased Chinese cultural prosperity since the founding of the People's Republic of China six decades ago.

    Paraders dressed in long-sleeved shirts and white pants marched past the Tian'anmen Rostrum. A banner on the float reads "promoting the socialist cultural development and prosperity". Full story

Solar panels at National Day parade highlight changes in China's energy use

    BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Solar panels held by a formation of energy workers at the National Day parade on Thursday demonstrated China's determination to shift to renewable energy in handling climate change.

    Surrounded by energy workers, a float carrying the sculptures of windmills and oil reserve containers, as well as a banner reading "Striving to develop clean energy," moving past Tian'anmen Square at the magnificent pageant marking New China's 60th anniversary of founding. Full story

China National Day parade highlights sci-tech accomplishments

    BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- China highlighted its achievements in the science and technology fields Thursday during the grand celebrations of the 60th founding anniversary of the People's Republic.

    A float representing the high-tech sector pulled into the Tian'anmen Square in the heart of Beijing, carrying a large television screen that showcased the country's progress in science and technology. Full story

"EARTH" T-shirt spells out China's green drive at National Day parade

    BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- The word of "EARTH" printed on the T-shirts worn by the paraders of the environment formation were among a few English letters shown at New China's 60-year birthday pageant.

    They underscored China's resolution to cut pollution and protect ecological environment as it saw severe environmental degradation from years of double-digit economic expansion. Full story

Jumbo jet, high-speed train show "China drive" at National Day parade

    BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's fast changing transportation system could not be better reflected in its homegrown high-speed trains and jumbo jets project, as their sculptures were displayed on a float moving through the crowds Thursday morning at a pageant marking the 60th founding anniversary of the People's Republic.

    Sculptures of trains, airplanes and automobiles are placed on a model of multi-layer overpass, which signals China's capability of making the most leading transportation tools and its position as having the world's second longest highway after the United States. Full story

Special Report: 60th Anniversary of Founding of PRC