From the Australian (link)
The Chinese rice paddy embodies the country’s cultural heartland, much like the bush does in Australia. But unlike Australia’s population – one of the world’s most heavily urban – two of every three Chinese still live in rural areas.
The opening week of China’s annual parliamentary session has demonstrated the “fourth generation” leadership’s determination to refocus energies towards this farming majority.
In his opening speech, Premier Wen Jiabao — who will visit Australia early next month — repeated several times the new dominant slogan “building the new socialist countryside”.
