From AP:
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday pledged greater support for education and health care over the next year and said the government would tackle sources of social unrest such as environmental problems, land seizures and privatization of state industries…
Wen’s budget priorities reflect Beijing’s recent focus on shifting spending to education, health care and other social programs that have been neglected while the communist government concentrated on boosting investment and trade…Tuition and other fees for all rural students will be eliminated, easing the financial burden on 150 million rural households, the premier said. He said the government will step up spending on rural primary and middle schools by 21 percent to $29 billion. The government will also create national scholarships and tuition assistance for colleges and vocational schools, he added. [Full Text]
