China's rural areas have the biggest potential in boosting domestic demand, said Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan during visits to the countryside concluded on Tuesday.

China should "especially place priority on tapping the rural market and developing the countryside" when spreading global financial crisis blunted the country's economic growth, said Wang.

He made the remarks when visiting towns, rural stores and farmers in central China's Henan Province on Monday and Tuesday.

More chain stores should be set up in the countryside to facilitate rural consumption, Wang said.

He also urged local officials to well implement policies to subsidize farmers' purchase of home appliances.

Financial institutions should develop more services targeting the need of farmers and rural enterprises, he said.

In its latest effort to boost rural consumption, China has decided to roll out a 13-percent subsidy nationwide for farmers who buy home appliances, starting from February 1.

China has announced a 4 trillion-yuan (US$586 billion) fiscal package to stimulate domestic demand.

(Xinhua News Agency January 7, 2009)