China's annual central conference on rural work, which would set the tone for next year's agricultural and rural development, opened on Sunday morning.

As China's economic recovery continues, the meeting is expected to study policies and measures to improve coordinated development between urban and rural areas and reinforce the basis for the development of agriculture and rural regions.

The annual conference is the highest-level meeting on rural work at which the Chinese government maps out policies and measures for next year's development of agriculture and rural regions. It is usually attended by senior officials of the State Council, China's Cabinet, and provincial-level officials.

China's grain yield this year is expected to increase and hit a record high, according to the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).

The MOA had forecast that grain yield this year could surpass last year's 525 billion kilograms, and it would be the fifth consecutive year of high grain yield.

Earlier this month, attendees of the Central Economic Work Conference agreed that China would enhance efforts next year to promote agriculture development, strengthen produce supply to the market, and expand rural demand.

It was agreed that the government would strengthen rural policies to increase farming-related subsidies, increase incomes of farmers, and expand demand in rural areas.

Infrastructure construction in rural areas, including reinforcing of large and mid-sized reservoirs, irrigation facilities, improvements to the power grid, and road construction, would be stepped up, according to a statement from the conference.

The government also underscored improvements to public services, including education and health care, in rural areas.

(Xinhua News Agency December 27, 2009)