Premier Wen Jiabao chaired a forum Friday to solicit opinions on the draft government work report from leaders of non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and non-affiliated public figures.

Participants of the forum agreed that over the past year, China achieved great social and economic progress and overcame the SARS crisis under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

The draft government work report, which will be delivered to the forthcoming Second Session of the 10th National People's Congress, summed up the government's work over the past year, offered a practical analysis of the achievements and existing problems and proposed feasible guidelines for this year's tasks, they said.

While approving the basic framework and major content of the report, the participants made specific suggestions for amendments in improving the government's macro-economic control function, solving the issues of agriculture and farmers, promoting coordinated development among different regions, increasing employment opportunities, enhancing people's living standards, and strengthening cultural construction, democracy and the legal system.

At the meeting, Wen expressed his thanks to the participants for their suggestions and support for the government's work. He said the central government will study their opinions and proposals and incorporate them into the government work report.

Wen said the past year had given the government much precious experience, making it more resolute to pursue a new concept of development highlighting comprehensive, concerted and sustainable progress.

"It is also significant to shift the government's functions more on public administration and social services while strengthening its macro-economic control and supervision of the market," Wen said.

He said the government would expect more onerous tasks this year, as China's economic development was at a key stage that would require appropriate macro-economic regulation to ensure stable and continuous growth.

He also briefed on the prevention and control work on bird flu at the meeting, and listened to opinions and suggestions from the participants.

On Monday, Tuesday and last Friday, the premier chaired forums to solicit opinions from those working in the fields of science, education, culture, health and sports.

(Xinhua News Agency February 7, 2004)