Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday pledged to continue to
boost economic development, deepen reform and opening-up and listen
to the people in his New Year speech.
"To solve the problems in people's daily lives, we must
persevere with making economic development our central task," Wen
said in his New Year speech at a gathering chaired by Chinese
President Hu Jintao.
Wen said China must adhere to the scientific, harmonious and
peaceful development and "greatly increase social wealth to lay a
solid material foundation" for the improvement of people's
lives.
Wen also highlighted China's reform of the socialist market
economy, saying that China must continue to push forward economic,
political, cultural and social reforms to protect people's
democratic rights and legitimate interests, and safeguard social
justice.
The Premier urged the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the
government to further improve their working styles and become
closely connected with the people.
Wen said the Party and the government must "understand people's
concerns, listen to their opinions, care about their difficulties"
and take concrete measures to address issues concerning the
immediate interests of the people, including education, health
care, employment, income distribution and social security.
Wen said China would fully implement the scientific concept of
development, speed up the building of a harmonious socialist
society and strive to maintain the fast and stable development of
the national economy to create favorable conditions and environment
for the 17th National Conference of the CPC.
The premier said China had made great achievements over the past
year. "Looking into the new year, we are fully confident in the
country's future development," he said.
Spring Festival, the Chinese Lunar New Year's day, falls on Feb.
18 this year.
(Xinhua News Agency February 17, 2007)