Balanced urban-rural development

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The senior citizens in Sansheng town are also lucky as a pension scheme benefits everyone reaching 60.

With more than two thirds of the population living in rural  areas the income disparity is seen as a major obstacle for  China to overcome

Zhu Dashun, Community Head of Sansheng Town, Chengdu,said, "We pay for every resident's insurance, as well as pension. We are not able to buy expensive insurance, like the people in the city. But at least farmers now have social security. This is a good start."

Sansheng town is famous for its fresh flowers. Orchids like these are sold in Chengdu for 50 to 60 yuan each. The booming flower industry is also attracting university graduates from the big cities.

He Weiwei, manager of Chuanhua Modern Agriculture Co. LTD, said, "My hometown is in the north. But Sansheng is much better for my career."

The town has also been developed as a sort of weekend retreat for urban residents. So the farmers can have more opportunity to interact with their urban counterparts.

A Chengdu citizen said, "Fresh air, tasty food. It is a pleasure to spend the weekend in the countryside."

Sansheng is one of the best towns in the suburb of Chengdu. But despite the municipality's efforts to balance its urban-rural development, the annual income of urban citizens is still twice that of the farmers'.

Qin Daihong, Vice Director of Commission For Balanced Urban-Rural Devt., said, "The urban-rural gap is not simply a matter of income. The gap concerns many aspects. and it would be dangerous to ignore them. We have done a little to improve the situation, but we also know it must be a time consuming job."

Editor:Zhang Ning