China's rural revitalization strategy can help deepen rural reform and consolidate outcomes of the country's poverty alleviation efforts to contribute to economic and social development in a new era, said Zhang Qingli, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

He made the remarks at the fifth chairperson's council meeting of the China Economic and Social Council (CESC) held in Beijing on Oct 16.

Zhang, who is also the CESC chairman, pointed out in his speech that the strategy covering China's vast rural areas is a long-term and forward-looking move of overall importance and an important measure to eradicate some deep-rooted problems including underdeveloped agriculture, sluggish rural economies and poverty among farmers.

He said the strategy is of significance to realizing economic integration between urban and rural areas, promoting the overall balanced national development and facilitating formation of the dual-circulation development pattern.

Rural development should be supported by flourishing industries under a competitive and sustainable industrial system of modern agriculture, which can become a strong engine to propel rural revitalization and invigorate rural economies, according to Zhang.

Zhang called on meeting participants to give full play to the CESC's advantages and functions through consultation and negotiation, and to actively promote the development of promising industries that can enrich rural areas, with priority given to rural industrial development and facilitating rural residents' employment and increasing their incomes. 

During the meeting, the participants studied documents on the rural revitalization strategy and on agriculture, rural areas and farmers. They deliberated on and adopted several rules on CESC's key meetings.