BEIJING - The General Office of the State Council, China's cabinet, issued a guideline on Thursday vowing to "substantially improve" the living environment in the countryside by 2020 to build beautiful and livable villages.

The current living environment, including housing, hygiene conditions and basic infrastructure, still lags far behind and does not meet the general criteria of a "new socialist countryside," said the guideline.

According to the guideline, efforts will be put into housing renovation, construction of safe tap water facilities, village road improvement, electricity-grid upgrades, fighting pollution, and conservation of historic villages.

The government will lead the efforts and also include villager participation and social support, said the guideline.

It also noted that implementation of the guideline should adjust to local conditions and minimize damage in dismantling houses, felling trees, and other practices.