Farmers' voices should be valued in the building of a new socialist countryside, says a signed article in China Youth Daily. An excerpt follows:

Days ago, the central government issued a document drawing up the blueprint for a new countryside. It demands that developed, well-off, civilized and democratic villages should be built.

Whether the vast number of farmers can share with their urban counterparts the fruits of economic and social advancement depends on whether their voices can be heard and respected.

It is farmers themselves who have the largest say on what kind of home they want, and whether they feel happy.

To pay respect to farmers' wishes, local government officials should fulfil their responsibilities.

The building of a new countryside involves guidance and input from local governments, but they are not the sole decision makers. While making development programmes, they should extensively absorb opinions and proposals from the vast rural population.

To that end, basic-level government workers should discard their patriarchal working styles and give full play to villagers' aspirations to manage their own affairs.

Active enthusiasm among the vast farming population and a smooth implementation of grass roots democracy will decide whether the new countryside initiative is popular and enjoyable in rural areas.

The current performance assessment system for local governments should be changed.

Gross domestic product should not be the only index to gauge officials' political merits. Environment, energy consumption and some other factors, which are important for a new countryside, should be taken into account in their annual evaluations.