Wen: 2006-10 plan 'active and prudent' (China Daily) Updated: 2005-10-20 05:32
Premier Wen Jiabao has described the country's goal of doubling its year 2000
per capita gross domestic product (GDP) figure by 2010 as "active and prudent."
The goal is based on an overall consideration of economic performance from
2001 to 2005 and conditions for development in the coming five years, he said in
his explanation, released yesterday, on a proposal on the 11th Five-Year
Programme at the Fifth Session of the 16th Communist Party of China Central
Committee last week.
Premier Wen Jiabao describes China's goal of
doubling its year 2000 per capita GDP figure by 2010 as "active and
prudent." [Xinhua] | The plan draws up the nation's 2006-2010 economic and social blueprint.
Wen described the goal of reducing energy costs per unit GDP by 20 per cent
in the coming five years as "achievable."
This reflects the requirement for the building of an energy-saving and
environmentally-friendly society and sustainable development, he said.
Wen acknowledged that in recent years, the speed of energy consumption was
faster than economic growth, showing that there is still much potential for
saving energy and raising the efficiency of energy use.
China's economy expanded at 9.5 per cent in the first half of the year and is
widely expected to see only a slight slowdown in 2006.
But the economy, Wen warned, rides excessively on increased investment and
material input. The inefficient growth pattern, sparking increasingly acute
contradictions between resources and the environment, "can no longer continue,"
the premier said.
Wen highlighted the "scientific concept of development," indicating the shift
in the government's development philosophy.
The proposal of the CPC Central Committee is based on the "scientific concept
of development" that will also be the guide in the whole process of China's
reform and opening-up drive, he said.
In his explanation, the premier also called for more efforts to build a
harmonious society, saying that employment, social security, poverty reduction,
education, medical care, environmental protection and safety will be given
priority.
He said that employment will remain a tough issue for a long period of time
to come, so China has to carry out pro-active employment policies and try every
means to create job opportunities.
On social security, the premier called for further efforts to improve the
pension system, basic medical care, unemployment, industrial injuries and
maternity care, to earnestly resolve the social security issue for migrant
farmer workers in cities, and to set up a security system of minimum living
standards for rural areas.
(China Daily 10/20/2005 page2)
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