China outlines four key tasks, two supporting guarantees in 2026 top rural policy: official

The "No. 1 central document" of the CPC Central Committee released on Tuesday has set out key tasks to advance agricultural and rural modernization and promote all-around rural revitalization in the new year, said an official of the Central Rural Work Leading Group on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference held by the State Council Information office, Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the Office of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission and director of the Office of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, said that while maintaining the overall stability of the "agriculture, rural areas and farmers" work layout and responding to the new situation and new requirements, this year's major and key tasks in the "agriculture, rural areas and farmers" fields have been clarified which can be summarized as "four key tasks and two major supporting guarantees".

"The 'four key tasks' are to enhance comprehensive agricultural production capacity and quality and efficiency, implement normalized and targeted assistance, actively promote stable income growth for farmers, and advance the construction of livable, business-friendly and beautiful rural villages in line with local conditions. We must formulate policies based on realities and apply precise measures, firmly safeguard the bottom line of national food security, continue to consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation, and raise the levels of rural industrial development, rural construction and rural governance," said Han.

"The 'two major supporting guarantees' are strengthening institutional and mechanism innovation and enhancing the Communist Party of China's comprehensive leadership over work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers. We must give full play to the Party's leadership, which is our greatest advantage, take reform and innovation as the fundamental driving force, improve the effectiveness of policies that strengthen, benefit and enrich agriculture, and stimulate the momentum and vitality of rural revitalization," said Han.

China outlines four key tasks, two supporting guarantees in 2026 top rural policy: official

China outlines four key tasks, two supporting guarantees in 2026 top rural policy: official

China outlines four key tasks, two supporting guarantees in 2026 top rural policy: official

China outlines four key tasks, two supporting guarantees in 2026 top rural policy: official

China outlines four key tasks, two supporting guarantees in 2026 top rural policy: official

China outlines four key tasks, two supporting guarantees in 2026 top rural policy: official

China outlines four key tasks, two supporting guarantees in 2026 top rural policy: official

Polish citizens are feeling the squeeze of surging energy costs, as the conflict in the Middle East continues to roil the international energy market,

In Poland, rising fuel prices are gradually making their way into everyday life and the real economy. Many residents said higher energy costs are taking a heavy toll.

"I do think about this issue more and try to reduce my fuel consumption. Overall, everything happening right now is unsettling," said Pawel, a Warsaw resident.

"I really feel it. Prices have gone up a lot. We're trying to cope and can manage for now. Taxi fares haven't increased yet, but it's definitely getting harder," said Wiktor, another resident.

"Of course it has affected us. Because fuel prices have gone up, everything else is more expensive and costs more now," said Anita, another local resident.

Meanwhile, those working in the transport and service sectors said rising oil prices are directly impacting their businesses.

"The courier industry, like most taxi drivers, is soon going to face closure and be forced out of business. I used to drive international long-distance buses, and honestly, some people in that sector are also thinking about quitting," said Michal, another Warsaw resident.

Lukasz Goczek, a professor from the Department of Macroeconomics and Theory of Foreign Trade at the University of Warsaw, said the continued shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor, could leave global energy prices elevated for a long time, heavily impacting the world economy.

"Iran has this huge leverage. It's got the whole world in a chokehold because 20 percent of oil that's transported in the world goes through the Strait. It obviously means that the price of energy is going to increase. We see it at the petrol stations," said Goczek.

Goczek also noted that U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran have dealt a serious blow to the international order.

"I think that's pretty much, by now, the international law. If it's not that, it's definitely very, very illegal. There wasn't any reason for war. It just straightforwardly began without any warning. So it was much of a surprise. We need the international order to have peace, to prosper, to have trade," said Goczek.

Rising energy costs squeeze Polish households, businesses