Special Report: NPC, CPPCC Annual Sessions 2008  

    BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The 11th National People's Congress (NPC) of China, the parliament, started its first session here on Wednesday with the GDP growth rate this year targeted about 8 percent and CPI increase around 4.8 percent.

    Premier Wen Jiabao evaluated government work in the past five years as "making major achievements in reform, opening up and modernization", but also admitted that there are still some prominent issues and deep-rooted problems affecting economic performance.

    "We vigorously responded to the complex and volatile international environment, strove to overcome various difficulties hindering economic and social development, and prevailed over the sudden and severe outbreak of SARS and catastrophic natural disasters such as the recent snow and ice storms," Wen said in his government work report.

    China's GDP in 2007 reached 24.66 trillion yuan, an increase of65.5 percent over 2002 and an average annual increase of 10.6 percent, rising from the sixth highest one in the world to the fourth. Total government revenue reached 5.13 trillion yuan, a 171 percent increase over 2002. Foreign exchange reserves exceeded 1.52 trillion U.S. dollars.

    The agricultural tax was rescinded, ending the centuries-old practice of farmers paying taxes. China's grain output rose four consecutive years to top 500 billion kilograms in 2007, he said.

    Free compulsory education was made available to all rural students, marking an important milestone in the history of the development of education in China. The basic frameworks for a public health system and a system of basic medical services covering both urban and rural areas have been put in place, he added.

    But he also admitted that China has experienced overheated growth in fixed asset investment, excessive supplies of money and credit, and imbalance in its international payments in recent years. The current price hikes and increasing inflationary pressures are the biggest concern of the people.

    "Both uncertainties in the international economic environment and potential risks have increased," he added.

    Under such background, he announced the following targets for economic and social development in 2008: on the basis of improving the economic structure, productivity, energy efficiency and environmental protection, the GDP should grow by about 8 percent, and the rise in the CPI should be held at around 4.8 percent.

    Ten million jobs should be created in urban areas, and the rate of registered urban unemployment should be kept at around 4.5 percent. Some improvement should be made in the balance of payments.

    After the central economic work meeting, which was held late last year, for the first time proposed the "two prevents", Wen reiterated in the report that the primary task for macroeconomic regulation this year is to prevent fast economic growth from becoming overheated growth and keep structural price increases from turning into significant inflation.

    In his 40-page government report, he also talked about energy conservation, emission reduction, environmental protection and ensuring product quality and safety, ensuring the wellbeing of the people and improve their lives, as well as accelerating reform of the administrative system and intensifying government self-improvement.

    "Our current plan for the reform of bodies of the State Council mainly centers on changing the way the government functions, appropriately dividing responsibilities among departments that exercise macroeconomic regulation, adjusting and improving bodies in charge of industrial management, and improving departments responsible for public administration and public services. The plan explores ways to establish larger departments that organically integrate the functions of smaller departments," Wen said.

    To resolve the problem of overlapping responsibilities and of powers not being matched by responsibilities, the plan clearly defines the responsibilities and powers of each department, clarifies the relationship of responsibilities among departments, and improves the mechanism for interdepartmental coordination and cooperation.

    "The plan will be submitted to you for deliberation and approval," he said.

    He pointed out in his report that it has been 30 years since China introduced the reform and opening up policy, which has brought about great historic changes to the country. However Chinais still in the primary stage of socialism and will remain so for a long time to come.

    "To further promote unfettered development of the productive forces, promote greater social fairness and justice, and attain the magnificent goals of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and modernizing China, we must continue to unswervingly implement the reform and opening up policy," Wen added.

    Wen said the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics will be held in Beijing. "We will prepare for and organize the Games well, strengthen cooperation with the international community, and create an excellent environment to ensure that the Games are a unique, well-run sporting event."

    When mentioning national defense and the military, Wen said, "Our aim is to enable the army to fully carry out its historic mission in the new stage in the new century, enhance its ability to respond to security threats and accomplish a diverse array of military tasks, staunchly protect China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and provide strong support for building a moderately prosperous society in all respects."

    When mentioning cross-Straits relations, he said any issue that concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be decided by all the Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots.

    "The attempts of Taiwan independence secessionist forces to deny the reality that the mainland and Taiwan belong to one and the same China and to undermine peace in the Taiwan Straits are doomed to fail," Wen said.

    The opening meeting was presided over by NPC Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo.

    A total of 2,970 lawmakers were present at the opening meeting, along with top leaders Hu Jintao, Jia Qinglin, Zeng Qinghong, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang.

    The 13-day-and-a-half session will elect the leadership and members of the 11th NPC Standing Committee, state president and vice president, chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China (PRC), president of the Supreme People's Court and the procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate.

    The session will also decide on the candidate for the premiership of the State Council, candidates for vice-premiers, state councilors, heads of all ministries and commissions, governor of the People's Bank of China, auditor-general of the National Audit Office, secretary-general of the State Council and the candidates for vice-chairmen and members of the Central Military Commission of the PRC.