BEIJING, April 6(Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu has urged the state-run newspaper Farmers' Daily to make a greater contribution to the modernization drive of Chinese agriculture.

　　Hui made the remarks in his congratulatory message commemorating the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Farmer's Daily, China's first national newspaper targeted at rural residents.

　　A symposium marking the anniversary was held Tuesday at the Great Hall of the People, where the vice premier's congratulatory message was read.

　　The newspaper has comprehensively covered the tremendous changes taking place in rural areas and in the agricultural sector over the past 30 years, Hui said.

　　The Farmers' Daily has reported farmers' demands in a timely manner and has created a favorable atmosphere for the promotion of rural reforms and development, Hui said.

　　He asked the newspaper to adhere to its guidelines of serving the farmers, train more high-quality staff for news reporting and embrace innovation in its reports and newspaper format.