"It is the will of the nation to let (Chinese-made) large aircraft fly up into the sky. It must be done and it must succeed," said Premier Wen Jiabao in a visit to the Xi'an Aircraft Industry (Group) Company on Sunday.

"I believe that the day must come and the dream of many generations of Chinese will come true," Wen said, while speaking with engineers at the company.

It is a major strategic decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council to build large aircraft, said the premier, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau.

Chinese will make large planes that are globally competitive through their own work and wisdom, Wen said. He noted that it was not easy to manufacture large aircraft and China had to make many breakthroughs, especially involving engines, materials and electronic equipment.

During his stay in Shaanxi Province, on Dec. 29-30, the premier also visited villagers and urban residents to display his great concern over their lives and production while giving his New Year greetings.

Premier Wen Jiabao talks with residents of Jingjia Village of the Yanliang District of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, Dec. 29, 2007. Wen made an inspection tour to rural areas and enterprises in Shaanxi Province ahead of the New Year.

In a visit to some villages, the premier questioned the villagers carefully about wholesale and retail vegetable prices and whether they had received government subsidies for growing grain.

He also visited a company and some rural households that are raising pigs or sheep.

In 2007, China has seen nationwide price hikes for food -- vegetables, edible oil and meat -- and the government has made strenuous efforts to stabilize the market.

In May, Wen also paid a visit to study the production and supply of pork, a staple meat for many Chinese. Following his visit, the State Council issued a policy to encourage pig breeding.

Recently, the government allocated 2.5 billion yuan (US$340 million) for developing modern pig farms and doubled the subsidy, to 100 yuan, for breeding a sow.

Premier Wen Jiabao waits for his order in the dining hall of the Xi'an Aircraft Industry (Group) Company in Xi'an, China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 29, 2007. Wen Jiabao made an inspection tour to rural areas and enterprises in Shaanxi Province ahead of the New Year.

Premier Wen Jiabao inspects Shuangyang Village of Fuping County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Dec. 29, 2007. Wen made an inspection tour to rural areas and enterprises in Shaanxi Province ahead of the New Year.

(Xinhua News Agency December 31, 2007)