Beijing's Helping Hand

Last month, President Hu Jintao and China's cabinet formally unveiled an ambitious plan to build a New Socialist Countryside. Here are some of the goals of this New Deal, intended to narrow the country's rural-urban income gap and stem social unrest: By 2007, all children in rural areas would receive nine years of free education. A similar initiative that ended in 2000 failed. A cooperative health-care system is slated to be rolled out nationwide by 2008. Each county government would design its own plan to subsidize farmers' medical bills. Agricultural taxes are to be abolished this year, and at least $1.86 billion dispersed in farm aid. Farmers would be taught their legal rights, and a stronger legal system built. Safe drinking water would be provided to all rural residents, and all towns would be connected by paved roads by 2010. The number of government employees at the township level would be cut, so money formerly spent on salaries could be used to provide basic services for farmers. More rural credit cooperatives would be set up so small businesses can get loans; further vocational training would be provided to farmers.