Poverty alleviation is the most serious task in rural China.

Lack of capital for developing family business is the most serious problem for most poor farmers. If they would be able to receive small loans, they could quicken steps to improve their lives. Mr Mao Yushi, the well-known economist, has been experimenting with this in Shanxi Province for over a decade.

The situation is more or less similar in rural areas in most developing countries. Take the example of Bangladesh. Professor Yunus, who won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, started micro-credit programs that helped poor people to improve their living conditions.

I am happy to know that recently our authorities made the decision to allow some financial corporations in the countryside to offer loans to poor farmers.

This is really a big step forward and good news for poor farmers.

Wang Shuda,

Shandong

(China Daily 01/25/2007 page11)