Accelerating China's rural transformation.

"...two issues remain central to the [Chinese] government's rural development objectives: food security and poverty alleviation. China has made remarkable progress in meeting these goals: the economy, including the rural sector, has grown at phenomenal rates during the reform period." While China's rural products, input, labor, and land markets are improving, they remain nascent. China still needs to foster several critical institutions, such as an effective fiscal system, a more efficient rural financial system, a workable land tenure arrangement, and a revamped trade and investment environment for agriculture. The primary purpose of this report is to identify and consolidate information on these crucial issues that impact on rural development in China. This report assesses strategic options from the perspective of efficiency, equitable development, and growth. It is intended to assist government officials and World Bank staff to prioritize policy and institutional reforms and public investment decisions in the rural sector. This Report Has Been Prepared To Identify And Consolidate Information On Crucial Issues Affecting Future Rural Development In China. Prepared With The Assistance Of Chinese And Non-chinese Scholars And Analysts, The Report Assesses Strategic Options From The Perspective Of Efficiency, Equitable Development, And Growth. It Concludes That Continued Reform Will Entail Further Liberalization Of Production, Pricing, And Marketing Policies; Strong Government Promotion Of A Market Environment; And Investments In Public Services And Infrastructure.--jacket. Pt. I. The Rural Sector Challenge. 1. A Vision For The Rural Sector -- Pt. Ii. An Enabling Environment For Rural Development. 2. Rural Income And Macroeconomic Linkages. A. Domestic Macroeconomic Dimensions. B. The International Market. 3. Rural Public Finance. 4. Rural Credit And Finance. 5. The Development Of Markets. 6. International Trade And Foreign Capital Flows. A. Trade. B. Capital And Technology Flows -- Pt. Iii. Managing Rural Development. 7. Cultivated Land. 8. Water Resources. 9. Technical Change And Technology Transfer. A. Agricultural Research. B. Extension. 10. Rural Industry. 11. Poverty Reduction. 12. Natural Resource Management And The Rural Environment. Annex. Policy And Action Matrix. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [119]-132).