Although Chinese farmers paid more taxes and fees last year, the increases have slowed down, according to a survey.
The alleviation of the financial burden of farmers was a central goal of the Government's agricultural policy last year, because Chinese leaders were worried heavy taxes and fees could drive farmers away from their land and trigger rural unrest.
The State Statistical Bureau survey, reported by Xinhua (the New China News Agency) yesterday, confirmed the policy had not been successful, as Chinese farmers on average still paid 21.1 per cent more in taxes and fees last year.
The survey also showed an uneven pattern of increases across the country, with farmers in central China suffering most.
Last year, farmers in central areas paid 25.1 per cent more taxes and fees. Western China recorded an increase of 23.7 per cent, while farmers in eastern coastal provinces benefited most from the policy with a modest 14.5 per cent increase.
The official inflation rate last year was below 6.1 per cent.
