China's top legislator has called for further innovation and economic structure adjustment to assist the country's economic and social progress.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), made the remarks during an inspection tour in northern China's Hebei Province between Sunday and Tuesday.

The traditional way of economic growth must be changed, and the market should play a fundamental role in allocating resources, said Wu.

He stressed the significance of strengthening innovation, increasing scientific input, encouraging patented inventions and stepping up the effort to turn scientific research achievements into productivity, in a bid to give science and technology a more crucial role in stimulating economic and social progress.

The recycling should be encouraged to build a resource-saving and environment-friendly society, he said.

He asked local authorities to follow the principle of putting people first and solve employment, education and medical problems most concern ordinary people.

During the inspection, Wu visited some high-tech companies, ports and docks, industrial zones as well as farmers' homes.

(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2006)