BEIJING — Agriculture, rural areas and farmers' issues remain China's top priorities for the 17th consecutive year as this year's "No 1 central document," released on Feb 5, stressed poverty alleviation and improving rural weak links.

As the first policy statement released by China's central authorities each year, the document is seen as an indicator of policy priorities. This year it urged efforts on two main tasks — winning the battle against poverty and strengthening areas of weakness concerning agriculture, rural areas and farmers, as the country strives to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects this year.

The country will move to win the battle against poverty, improve infrastructure and public services in rural areas, ensure supplies of important agricultural products, promote the increases in farmers' incomes, strengthen grassroots governance in rural areas and improve rural weak links, according to the document.

It noted work should be done to maintain social harmony and stability in rural areas and enable rural people to feel more satisfied, happy and secure. It also demanded efforts to promote high-quality agricultural development.

China aims to achieve its goal of completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects this year, which also marks the last year for the country to win the battle against poverty.

Facing a complex situation with emerging challenges from home and abroad and downward pressures on economic growth, it is of great importance for the country to stabilize the agricultural industry and give full play to the role of agriculture, rural areas and farmers as the ballast stone, said an official with the office of the central rural work leading group.