Government authorities of Fujian province have recently issued a circular on deepening rural reform and bolstering agricultural modernization, Fuzhou Daily reported on April 15.

The 28-point document touches upon a variety of areas in the comprehensive reform plan, including building a food safety supervision system, accelerating land system reform, and loosening restrictions on designated towns and small-town hukou (permanent residency permit) issuance.

In addition, the province sheds light on construction of a farm product market system. A number of farm product wholesale markets, distribution centers, fresh food chain supermarkets and sales outlets will be built accordingly, according to the circular.

A stringent food safety supervision system will also be built to lookout for safety risks.

To cope with land mobility efficiency, farmers will be encouraged to transfer their land-use rights. Authorities will also work with professional equity trading agencies to establish a set of mechanisms concerning farmer property rights and provide guidance during transferring processes.

The circular also rolls out more measures for protection of farmer rights in land acquisition cases by straightening out compensation package details, narrowing down areas of land seizures, improving executive courses and setting up mediation agencies for land disputes.

To conform to the country’s urbanization strategy and boost economic development, the circular asks local cities to lift restrictions on the establishment of designated towns and hukou while ensuring that new hukou holders, most with rural backgrounds, can enjoy the same benefits and rights as urban residents.

Other aspects involved in the rural reform include improving rural traffic conditions and public service. More vocational training will be offered to rural people. Local governments will strive to increase financial assistance for the old and poor.