Chinese vice-premier urges efforts to advance agriculture, rural development, health care

SHENYANG -- Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Guozhong said that efforts should be made to advance agriculture, rural development and health care to achieve the country's annual tasks, laying a solid foundation to begin the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) well.

Liu, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour across regions including Tongliao in Inner Mongolia and Shenyang in Liaoning from Monday to Wednesday.

Liu visited agricultural enterprises and industrial parks to learn about crop production, the processing of agricultural products, and progress in agricultural technology and biopharmaceutical research and development (R&D).

Efforts should be made to secure the autumn grain harvest through timely collection and storage, followed by the prompt planting of winter crops to maintain stable cultivation areas.

Liu also noted the importance of efforts to increase crop yields, ensure the supply of non-staple foods and stabilize the markets.

Measures should be taken to boost the incomes of China's rural residents and enhance the rural living environment steadily.

Noting that infectious diseases are more prevalent in the autumn and winter months, Liu urged strengthened monitoring, early-warning systems and public health guidance, as well as other relevant disease prevention and control work.

Efforts should also be made to strengthen policy support and collaborative R&D — with a focus on empowering enterprises as the cornerstone of innovation — to achieve high-quality growth and groundbreaking results in the biopharmaceutical sector.