Xinhua reports that China has pitched its removal of all agricultural taxes in 2006 in historical perspective, saying that the taxes have burdened China's farmers for 2,600 years.

Finance Minister Jin Renqing make the remarks on Monday.

The removal of taxes is about four years ahead of schedule, as Premier Wen Jiabao last year pledged to remove the taxes within five years.

28 of 31 provincial areas have actually already removed agriculture taxation of farmers.

China used to collect up to RMB60 billion in agricultural taxes before tax reforms began three years ago. With the development of other industries, the government can now depend on alternative sources of taxation.