China has made significant progress in rural development despite severe natural disasters and other challenges in 2024, said Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs, at a press conference on further deepening rural reforms and advancing comprehensive rural revitalization on Monday.

Rice turns golden in the fields of Xincheng County, Laibin City, South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 16, 2024. (File photo/China News Service)

According to Han, the per capita disposable income of China's rural residents in 2024 reached 23,119 yuan (about $3,185), marking a 6.3% real growth year-on-year.

The income gap between urban and rural residents further narrowed to a ratio of 2.34:1.

Additionally, China's grain output hit a new record, surpassing 700 million metric tons for the first time in history. Soybean production remained above 20 million tons, and the supply of various agricultural products remained abundant.

To ensure effective agricultural and rural development in 2025, China will focus on promoting integrated urban-rural development, further deepening rural reform, improving the support system for strengthening agriculture, bringing benefits to farmers and increasing their incomes, and comprehensively promoting rural revitalization.

A rural revitalization plan recently introduced by the central authorities shows China's firm determination to hasten rural development.

According to the plan, modernization of agriculture and rural areas will reach a new level by 2027, and rural areas will be equipped with basic conditions for modern living by 2035.