Computer companies ASUS and Intel have sponsored about 1,500 college students to teach basic computer skills to villagers in their hometowns.The project benefited some 50,000 people in 1,000 villages this summer.
The program recently presented awards to 159 college students, teachers and government officials to thank them for their support.
In 2006, the Chinese government called for rural areas of the country to catch up to urban areas to close the internet gap. In May, the Chinese government launched stimulus packages to boost economic recovery, including subsidies for rural families to buy home appliances, such as computers.
The ASUS-Intel program not only promotes basic computer skills in rural areas, but also helps farmers leverage the internet to increase their incomes and better communicate with the outside world.
China Daily reported that Guo Chuanjie, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said "The program is a good way to lead youth to take more interest in China’s rural areas and the issues of farmers."