An executive meeting of the State Council on Wednesday approved in principle the working rules for the new cabinet.

The executive meeting also decided to submit the working rules for deliberation at the first plenary session of the State Council which will be convened soon.

The executive meeting of the State Council was chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao.

At the meeting, leaders of the cabinet discussed their obligations and identified their related working fields, according to the circular released after the meeting, but the circular did not mention the detailed working fields of the leaders.

In line with the government reshuffle plan adopted by the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC), the meeting also approved formation plan of departments directly under the State Council and streamlined the coordinating institutions and adhoc agencies under the State Council.

The meeting called on all departments to earnestly implement the essences of the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the First Session of the 11th NPC, according to the circular.

The meeting also required all the departments to fulfill their due obligations to usher in a new chapter of government work, according to the circular.

The executive meeting of the State Council was attended by China's premier, vice premiers, state councilors and secretary-general, and the plenary session of the State Council was attended by China's premier, vice premiers, state councilors, heads of all ministries and commissions, auditor-general and secretary-general.

(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2008)