Jia Suotang, president of Shanxi University, recently inspected construction work at the China Urban-Rural Development Institute, a research institute the university established last June.

Based on the conditions of Shanxi province’s agricultural modernization, the institute aims to serve local economic and social development through experimental investigation and study. It seeks to build a think tank for urban-rural development in Shanxi province and the whole of North China.

Jia Suotang (left 3), the president of Shanxi University, inspects construction work at the China Urban-Rural Development Institute, March 30. [Photo/Shanxi University]

At present, the institute is in the process of building a think-tank platform, an exhibition hall, and an archive. Jia said during the inspection that the construction work should follow the standards of being international and intelligent.

The institute is led by Professor Xu Yong, a well-known expert in agriculture, rural areas and farmers, known as the Three Rural Issues.