Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday presided over an executive
meeting of the State Council. Topics discussed included
restructuring the grain sales system, subsidies for grain growers
and a draft regulation on promotion of non-state-run
schools.
According to an official release, meeting participants agreed on
the importance of deepening reform of the country's grain sales
system, lifting restrictions on grain purchases and offering direct
subsidies to grain growers.
But the release did not go into detail on grain market
liberalization, saying efforts are needed to ensure grain price
stability in the process of market reform.
The moves are designed to encourage grain production and ensure
grain market stability.
At present, state-owned grain companies maintain a monopoly over
grain markets.
A draft regulation on promotion of private education was also
passed at the meeting and will be made public by the State Council
at an unspecified time.
(Xinhua News Agency February 26, 2004)