Chinese government approved a plan Wednesday to push forward the reform and development of the country's Supply and Marketing Cooperatives to advance rural economy.

Supply and Marketing Cooperatives, which have a history of more than 80 years in China, have served as an important platform for the distribution of agricultural products in rural areas.

Efforts will be made to improve the service, purchase and sale networks for means of agricultural production, agricultural consumer goods and agricultural products to further tap the rural market, said a statement issued after an executive meeting of the State Council, or the Cabinet, chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao.

The government will also reform enterprises owned by the Cooperatives to improve their competitiveness and encourage them to join the industrialization of agricultural products.

(Xinhua News Agency November 5, 2009)