Feb 14—Feb 20,2006: Building a new socialist countryside

Feb 14, 1950: Sino-Soviet treaty is signed

On Feb 14, 1950, the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance was signed in Moscow. On Dec 16, 1949, Mao Zedong visited the Soviet Union. On Jan 20, 1950, Zhou Enlai arrived in Moscow. On Jan 22, China and the Soviet Union began formal negotiations on signing new treaties and agreements. After talks among Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai of China and Joseph Stalin and Grigori Voitinsky of Russia, the two governments signed the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance. The treaty called for cooperation to prevent Japan and other countries from invading or disruption of peace, consultations on all major international issues involving the common interests of both countries, and also for developing and consolidating economic and culture relations between the two countries in accordance with the principals of equality, mutual benefit, mutual respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. The treaty established political and military alliances between the two countries, as well as guidelines for developing bilateral relations. In April 1979, the seventh meeting of the Fifth NPC decided the 30-year period of Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance was not extended by expiration. In April the following year, the treaty was abrogated.

Feb 14, 1986: China establishes the National Natural Science Foundation of China

In the early 1980s, to promote the reform of science and technology and change the way of funding scientific research, 89 academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences sent a letter to the Central Committee and the State Council proposing the establishment of a national natural science foundation. The foundation would provide support for basic research, environmental research and personnel projects.

Feb 14, 1993: China accelerates development of township enterprises

On Feb 14, 1993, the State Council issued the "decision on accelerating the development of township enterprises in central and western regions" to promote the economy. The policy also applied to less developed eastern areas.

Feb 14—Feb 20, 2006: Building a new socialist countryside

From Feb 14 to Feb 20, 2006, the CPC Central Committee held a symposium inviting leading cadres at the provincial level to build a new socialist countryside. Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao made speeches at the opening and closing ceremonies. Hu stressed the need to benefit rural residents. From April 2006 to January 2007, the central government organized 50 training courses, training 5,474 county party secretaries and magistrates on the subject of "building a socialist new countryside".