The China Media Group (CMG) has unveiled the top 10 news stories highlighting China’s rural revitalization achievements in 2024. These stories reflect significant milestones in agricultural development, rural reform, and sustainable initiatives that have shaped China’s rural landscape this year.
1. CPC’s Third Plenary Session Focuses on Urban-Rural Integration
From July 15 to 18, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) convened its third plenary session in Beijing. The meeting made systematic arrangements to promote institutions and mechanisms for integrated urban-rural development and clarified key tasks for agricultural and rural reform.
2. Central Rural Work Conference Sets Goals for 2025
The Central Rural Work Conference was held in Beijing from December 17 to 18. President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered important instructions on work related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers. He acknowledged the achievements of 2024 and outlined clear requirements for advancing agricultural efforts in 2025, emphasizing integrated urban-rural development and comprehensive rural revitalization.
3. 2024 “No. 1 Central Document” Emphasizes Rural Revitalization
On February 3, China released its “No. 1 central document” for 2024, stressing the need to draw on the experience from the Green Rural Revival Program in east China’s Zhejiang Province. The document calls for vigorous and effective promotion of comprehensive rural revitalization.
4. Strengthening Supply and Marketing Cooperatives
On the 70th anniversary of the founding of the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives, President Xi Jinping urged these cooperatives to build integrated platforms serving the production and lives of farmers. He highlighted their role in promoting modern agriculture and acting as a bridge between the CPC, the government, and farmers.
5. Record-High Grain Output
China’s grain output in 2024 reached a record high of 1.413 trillion jin (706.5 million tonnes). This milestone marks the first time the national grain output has exceeded the 1.4-trillion-jin threshold after nine consecutive years above 1.3 trillion jin.
6. Continuous Increase in Farmland
By strengthening farmland protection and improving quality to expand agricultural production, China’s total farmland reached 1.918 billion mu (128 million hectares) in 2024. This marks a net increase for three consecutive years, with strict observance of the red line for farmland protection.
7. Completion of National Agricultural Germplasm Resources Survey
China completed its largest, most extensive, and most participatory national agricultural germplasm resources survey. The three-year survey, finished in 2024, clarified the types, quantities, regional distribution, and characteristics of germplasm resources for crops, livestock, and aquaculture.
8. National Plan for Elderly Care in Rural Areas
In June, China released a guidance document for elderly care in rural areas, marking the country’s first national-level plan in this field. The plan aims to address the aging population in rural regions and improve care services.
9. Greening of the Taklimakan Desert
On November 28, the Taklimakan Desert—China’s largest desert and the world’s second-largest shifting sand desert—was completely encircled with a sand-blocking green belt stretching 3,046 kilometers. This achievement in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region marks a significant advancement in desertification control and environmental protection.
10. Growth of Rural Express Delivery Services
In 2024, the growth rate of express delivery business volume in central and western China exceeded the national average, with a continuous increase in its share of the country’s total. China has built over 337,800 village-level logistics service centers with multiple functions and purposes, enhancing connectivity and economic activity in rural areas.
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CMG reveals top 10 news for China's rural revitalization in 2024
cgtn.com
