The State Council held an executive meeting Wednesday in Beijing,
to discuss the cabinet's working priorities for the year, Xinhua
reported Wednesday.
The meeting, presided over by Premier Wen
Jiabao, also discussed the functions and institutional
arrangement of the newly-established China Banking Regulatory
Commission.
The meeting also examined the draft regulation for traditional
Chinese medicines.
The State Council will give priority to the following 12 items this
year:
- Continuing the policy of expanding domestic demand to promote
rapid and sustainable economic growth.
- Accelerating economic structural adjustment and pushing forward
western development, along with the renovation of dated industrial
bases.
- Developing agriculture and the rural economy and increasing
farmers' incomes.
- Deepening economic restructuring and continuing to regulate
market economic order.
- Continuing to expand opening up to the world and strengthening
overseas economic exchange and cooperation.
- Increasing revenue and reducing expenditure to ensure the
completion of the year's financial budget.
- Promoting the employment and re-employment work. Strengthening
the construction of social security system.
- Accelerating scientific and educational development.
- Continuing to implement sustainable development strategies to
promote the harmonious development of the economy, population,
resources and environment.
- Strengthening democratic and legal systems and maintaining
social stability.
- Strengthening national defense construction and promoting the
reunification of the motherland. Strengthening diplomatic
efforts.
- Improving the administrative management system and deepening
organizational reform.
The conference called on all departments and local governments to
do more this year in all fields.
As
for the China Banking Regulatory Commission's functions, the
meeting decided that the commission will supervise and manage
banks, financial asset management companies, trust investment
companies and other financial organizations.
(Xinhua News Agency April 3, 2003)