Gov´t work report: Arrangements for the government´s work in 2008

Source: CCTV.com | 03-05-2008 12:29

2008 is the first year for comprehensively implementing the guiding principles set out at the Seventeenth CPC National Congress. We face arduous tasks in reform and development, and it is very important for us to successfully carry out the work of the government.

And the GDP should grow by about 8%, and the rise in the CPI should be maintained at around 4.8%.

Wen Jiabao said that we need to concentrate on the following nine tasks in 2008:

Firstly -- improving macroeconomic regulation to maintain fast yet steady economic development.

The deficit for the central government budget this year is set at 180 billion yuan.

The government plans to issue 30 billion yuan of treasury bonds for investment.

One major task for macroeconomic regulation this year is to prevent the overall price level from rising rapidly.

Secondly -- strengthening agriculture as the foundation of the economy, promoting development of agriculture and increasing the income of farmers.

Allocations from this year's central government budget related to agricultural, rural areas and farmers total five hundred and sixty two point five billion yuan. This is a year-on-year increase of one hundred and thirty point seven billion yuan.

Thirdly -- promoting economic adjustment and changing the pattern of development.

The government will continue to boost domestic demand and adjust the balance of investment and consumption. It will also promote the shift from the pattern of economic growth that relies mainly on a balanced combination of consumption, investment and exports.

The government will also encourage independent innovation as the central link in efforts to change the pattern of development.

It will encourage improvement and upgrading of the industrial structure.

And the balanced development among regions.

Fourthly -- the government will increasing efforts to conserve energy and reduce emissions. It will protect the environment and ensure product quality and safety.

Wen Jiabao says this year is crucial for meeting the obligatory targets for energy conservation and emissions reduction set forth in the Eleventh Five-Year Plan.

And we must increase our sense of urgency and intensify efforts to make greater progress.

The government will intensify efforts to ensure product quality and safety.

Wen also said the government will accelerate efforts to formulate and update national standards, improve legal guarantees and control systems for product quality and safety.

Fifthly -- Wen urged the country to deepen economic reform and open wider to the outside world. And to focus on the following areas this year: Advance the reform of SOEs and improve their ownership structure; Deepen reform of the fiscal and taxation systems and accelerate improvement in the public finance system; Speed up reform of the financial system and strengthen financial oversight and expand the breadth and depth of China's openness and make its economy more open.

Sixthly -- Premier Wen stressed the importance of paying closer attention to social development to ensure the wellbeing of the people and improve their lives. He says priority will be continue to be given to developing education. And that China will promote the reform and development of health care. He says the country will improve its work related to family planning and population. And that the government will effectively protect the rights and interests of women and minors, as well as people with physical and mental disabilities.

Premier Wen says China will press ahead with efforts to expand employment, strictly enforcing the Employment Promotion Law and the Labor Contract Law. In addition, urban and rural incomes will be increased through a variety of channels. And he says the social safety net will also be improved to guarantee the basic needs of the people.

The country will also promptly establish a system to ensure the supply of reasonably priced housing for people.

Seventhly -- Wen Jiabao also stressed the importance of deepening reform of a cultural management system, and promoting vigorous development and enrichment of culture. He says the upcoming 2008 Olympics and Paralympics in Beijing will be a great chance to promote China's economic and social development. And also to increase friendship and cooperation between Chinese people and the people of other countries.

Eighthly -- Premier Wen Jiabao also put great emphasis on stepping up development of socialist democracy and the socialist legal system. And also on promoting social fairness and justice. He says China will deepen reform of political institutions and advance socialist political standards. And also fully adhere to the "rule of law" as a fundamental principle. And also improve public administration and strengthen efforts to ensure workplace safety.

Ninthly -- Premier Wen also stressed the importance of accelerating reform of the administrative system as well as efforts to advance the government through self improvement. He says China must accelerate the transformation of government functions, deepen reform of government bodies and improve the mechanism of administrative oversight. And also strengthen efforts to ensure a clean government.

Editor:Zhang Ning