China farmers offered subsidised TVs, mobile phones

Chinese farmers will be given a 13-percent discount on televisions, mobile phones and other electrical appliances under a new subsidy scheme to boost rural spending, state press reported Monday.
A pilot program will begin for three of the nation's major agricultural provinces under which the government will offer the subsidy for TVs, mobile phones and fridges, the China Daily reported, citing the finance ministry.
Once the scheme is expanded, air conditioners and washing machines will also attract a subsidy, according to the ministry.
However the 13-percent figure was only given for the pilot programme in Shandong, Henan and Sichuan provinces, which will begin around the start of 2008.