(November 21, 2001) Premier Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao have highlighted rural stagnation and unrest to pressure foot-dragging officials before China’s parliament convenes from March 5 to discuss a five-year national development plan, observers say.

(Excerpt)

Beijing/Shanghai: Chinese officials have been making unusually stark warnings about social unrest, saying corruption and inequality are driving growing numbers of farmers to protest and violence. But analysts say behind the recent public candor of Premier Wen Jiabao and others lies secretive political jockeying to win backing for ambitious plans to revive the countryside. Wen and President Hu Jintao have highlighted rural stagnation and unrest to pressure foot-dragging officials before China’s National People’s Congress, or parliament, convenes from March 5 to discuss a five-year national development plan, observers said. … The new plan calls for roads, telecommunications and safe drinking water to extend throughout China’s villages in coming years and the government will pay much of the school and health costs for villagers through subsidies and insurance schemes.

Reuters, November 21, 2001