INTRODUCTION

China's grain production will increase 15.6 billion kilograms to 546.4 billion kilograms this year as farmers' per capita net income grows 10 percent to 5,800 yuan (865.7 U.S. dollars), according to a statement released at the conclusion of the central rural work conference which concluded here Wednesday.

Despite floods and drought, the country's grain production will increase for the seventh consecutive year, according to the statement.

Vice premier Hui Liangyu attended the annual central rural work conference, which mapped out policies for next

CHENGDU, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Fire fighters Monday put out a wild fire that raged for about 24 hours on a plateau grassland in southwest China's Sichuan Province, leaving 22 dead and four injured.

Two of the injured were critically ill, said Li Bing, a rescue official from the provincial health bureau.

He said the injured were sent to the provincial capital of Chengdu Monday for treatment.

The casualties occurred Sunday afternoon, when the fire fighters were putting out embers in a mountain valley in Daofu County, in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze. A strong gust