Premier Wen
Jiabao said yesterday the government will focus mainly on
farming, fixed asset investment scale as well as bird flu in the
first quarter to ensure a good start for 2006.
Wen outlined the government's major tasks in the first quarter
at a plenary session of the State Council. He stressed that efforts
should be made to deal with farming issues including organizing
farmers to prepare for spring ploughing and rationally control the
scale of fixed asset investment.
Other tasks include alleviating the bottleneck situation of
coal, electricity, petroleum and transportation, helping
disaster-hit and disadvantaged groups, ensuring payment of migrant
workers' salaries and outstanding wages, and improving safety
supervision over the operation of major industries, places with
hidden dangers and public areas.
The government should properly handle social contradictions,
implement policies related to public interests and continue to curb
the spread of bird flu, said Wen.
The meeting discussed the drafts of the government work report
and the 11th Five-Year Guideline for National Economy and Social
Development, which will be delivered to regional governments to
solicit suggestions and deliberated at this year's National
People's Congress (NPC)
annual session.
Wen required all sides, including non-Communist parties,
industrial and commercial circles and non-Party personages, to
offer their suggestions to ensure the documents exhibit the public
opinion and desire.
Cherished friendship
The premier also visited former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk
and his wife Norodom Monineath Sihanouk at their residence in
Beijing yesterday.
Wen spoke highly of the contribution to Sino-Cambodian ties made
by Sihanouk in the past five decades, saying that the former king
has always committed himself to the development of Sino-Cambodian
relations and has forged deep friendship with successive Chinese
leaders.
"China and Cambodia are good neighbors, good friends and good
partners," Wen said. "The Chinese people will never forget our old
friend and we hope your majesty will continue to support
Sino-Cambodian cooperation in all fields."
Sihanouk expressed his appreciation of the best wishes from Wen
and the Chinese people, saying that the Cambodian government,
people and himself all cherish the friendship with China.
"Cambodia appreciates China's selfless assistance and always
regards China as a great friend and a friend forever," said the
former king, pledging that the Cambodian royal family and
government will, as always, support China's reunification.
(China Daily January 21, 2006)