BEIJING -- China should pursue rural vitalization in an unhurried manner, with an emphasis on quality instead of speed, according to a statement released Friday after the central rural work conference.

"Implementing the rural vitalization strategy is a historic task for the long term that needs scientific planning, a focus on quality, an unhurried tempo and no obsession with speed," the statement said.

The country should conduct overall planning to guide rural vitalization and design a number of important projects, plans and actions, it added.