China to improve countryside living environment  

国办：改善农村人居环境 慎砍树不填湖少拆房

国务院办公厅近日印发《关于改善农村人居环境的指导意见》(以下简称《意见》)，提出到2020年，全国农村居民住房、饮水和出行等基本条件明显改善，人居环境基本实现干净、整洁、便捷，建成一批各具特色的美丽宜居村庄。 [查看全文]

The General Office of the State Council, China's cabinet, issued a guideline on Thursday vowing to "substantially improve" the living environment in the countryside by 2020 to build beautiful and livable villages.

The current living environment, including housing, hygiene conditions and basic infrastructure, still lags far behind and does not meet the general criteria of a "new socialist countryside," said the guideline.

According to the guideline, efforts will be put into housing renovation, construction of safe tap water facilities, village road improvement, electricity-grid upgrades, fighting pollution, and conservation of historic villages.

The government will lead the efforts and also include villager participation and social support, said the guideline.

It also noted that implementation of the guideline should adjust to local conditions and minimize damage in dismantling houses, felling trees, and other practices.