Source: CCTV.com

06-29-2006 17:34

Topping the agenda is the deliberation and approval of the country's draft outlines on economic and social development over the next five years. As Ren Ting reports, the Eleventh Five-Year Plan aims to achieve balanced and sustainable development in the years ahead.

For about 30 million people in the countryside, making a living is still extremely difficult.

But in contrast -- many in big cities have the luxury of thinking about lighter things, such as which restaurant to go to for dinner.

Two different regions -- BUT two utterly DIFFERENT kinds of life.

China's average GDP growth over the past three decades has been 9.4 percent. But the rural residents are not benefited as much as their urban counterparts.

This is one of the pressing issues the 11th Five-Year Plan will address.

Researcher Yuan Gangming from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said: "The main goal of the new outline is to create a harmonious society. To achieve this, the plan calls for efforts to be strengthened in two aspects. One is to balance the development of rural and urban areas. The other is to bridge the wide gap between the economies of different regions."

The new five-year plan aims to set out a strategy to prevent the income gap from becoming wider. The emphasis is on lifting 30 million rural residents out of poverty,and preventing another 80 million low-income people from becoming poorer.

Meanwhile, industries are required to support agriculture. And eastern coastal areas are expected to help the relatively under-developed western regions.

As in all previous five-year plans, this one also sets a goal for economic growth. This time around, to double year 2000 per capita GDP by 2010.

But this time, the task must be accomplished, while at the same time, reducing the GDP unit cost of energy by 20 percent of its current level.

This marks the first time China has written such a simultaneous target into a five-year plan.

Analysts say it indicates a departure from past development models.

Researcher Wang Xiaoguang from State Development & Reform Comm.said:"China will move from blind pursuit of GDP to a balanced development -- with more emphasis on environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources. "

Professor Xue Lan from Tsinghua University said: "The five-year plan will put emphasis on technological innovation and sustainable development, trying to find a new way for economic development to follow. "

Analysts say the new strategy factors in China's unique conditions. And that China's path will differ from that taken by Japan, or newly developed countries, such as South Korea.

The 11th five-year plan maps out a strategy for a brighter future. One where citizens reap the benefits of a BALANCED, as well as SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. But actions speak louder than words. And policy makers face the challenge of striking the perfect balance between meeting economic targets, and environmental protection.

 

Editor:Wang Ping