President Hu Jintao (C) attends the group discussion by deputies from northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region to the Fourth Session of the Tenth National People's Congress (NPC), in Beijing, capital of China, on March 9, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (2nd R) speaks during the group discussion by deputies from southwest China's Chongqing Municipality to the Fourth Session of the Tenth National People's Congress (NPC), in Beijing, capital of China, on March 9, 2006. Wen attended the group discussion by deputies from Chongqing March 9. (Xinhua Photo)

Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong (3rd R) speaks during the group discussion by deputies from southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to the Fourth Session of the Tenth National People's Congress (NPC), in Beijing, capital of China, on March 9, 2006. Zeng attended the group discussion by deputies from Guangxi March 9. (Xinhua Photo)

Wu Guanzheng (2nd R), secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China, speaks during the group discussion by deputies from northwest China's Shaanxi Province to the Fourth Session of the Tenth National People's Congress (NPC), in Beijing, capital of China, on March 9, 2006. Wu attended the group discussion by deputies from Shaanxi March 9. (Xinhua Photo)

    BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Senior Chinese leaders joined lawmakers' panel discussions Thursday, calling on officials at various levels to make more efforts to serve the people and improve the Party's governance capability.

    "We shall concentrate our efforts to solve the problems which concern people's direct and practical interest," said Chinese President Hu Jintao at the panel discussion of the NPC deputies from Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, a major habitat of the country's Hui ethnic group.

    Hu, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), vowed that the country will adhereto and improve the system of regional autonomy of ethnic groups, and accelerate economic and social development there.

    While exchanging views with deputies from the southwestern municipality of Chongqing, Premier Wen Jiabao pointed out that thenew challenges the country has to face has brought an imperative demand on the reform of the government.

    "To quicken the step in transforming government functions is where the key lies," said the Premier.

    Vice President Zeng Qinghong and senior CPC official Wu Guanzheng talked about upholding the scientific conception on development and enhancing disciplines on civil servants in the NPCdeputies' group from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Shaanxi Province respectively.

    Wen Jiabao, Zeng Qinghong and Wu Guanzheng are members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

    The Tenth National People's Congress (NPC), the Chinese legislature, is holding its annual full session in Beijing, bringing together more than 2,900 lawmakers. Enditem