In October 2005, at the Fifth Plenary Session of the 16th Central Committee, the Party pointed out that an important historical mission in China's modernization drive is to build a new socialist countryside; and that it must be carried out according to the general requirements of advanced production, better living standards, a civilized lifestyle, clean surroundings and democratic management.

At the end of 2005, the Several Suggestions by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Pushing Forward New Socialist Countryside Construction re-emphasized the importance of building a new socialist countryside during China's modernization process.

(People's Daily Online October 11, 2007)