Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Monday urged the country's county authorities to step up efforts to ensure the stable development of agriculture and increase rural incomes.

At the opening of a training program for county heads, Xi said local leaders should stick to policies that aimed at improving rural welfare and forge ahead with reform and development causes in the countryside.

County officials should constantly study and work hard to build closer ties with the people, and avoid corruption, he said.

Vice Premier Hui Liangyu, who attended the ceremony, also asked county leaders to focus on the work related to farmers interests.

(Xinhua News Agency November 11, 2008)