New urban-rural relations to take shape: communique

BEIJING - A new, integrated system of urban-rural relations will allow people living outside cities equal participation in  modernization and better property rights, says a communique following the Communist Party of China (CPC)'s key session on reform.

Improvements must be made to promote agriculture, and urban areas must help rural areas, according to the communique adopted by the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee held from November 9 to 12 in Beijing.

The new set-up will allow farmers to "equally participate in the modernization drive and share its fruits". New agribusiness systems will be formed and more property rights should be given to farmers.

Equal exchanges of urban-rural elements and balanced allocation of public resources should be promoted. A healthy development mechanism for urbanization will be improved. "The urban-rural dual structure is a major barrier preventing the integration of development," reads the communique.