Some foreign newspapers have spoke highly of the down-to-earth measures announced by China during the ongoing meetings of the country's top advisory and legislative bodies.

A bylined article carried by Malaysia's Chinese-language newspaper Nanyang Siang Pau said on Wednesday that the progressive nullity of agricultural taxes is a significant step to push forward the Chinese agricultural development, reflecting the daring courage and resolve of the Chinese government to address the issues concerning agriculture, rural areas and farmers.

The article cited Premier Wen Jiabao's acknowledgment of problems and flaws in the government work as an example, saying that a premier who can face errors squarely is a leader dedicated to serving his people more whole-heartedly.

Singapore's leading Chinese-language newspaper, Lianhe Zaobao, published an editorial on Tuesday, giving thumbs-up to Premier Wen's two agricultural policies.

One is to reduce agricultural taxes, which will be annulled within five years, and the other is to earmark 10 billion yuan to help the western region realize nine-year compulsory education.

The two measures reflect a down-to-earth manner of the Chinese government and its political will to address issues on rural areas seriously, the editorial said.

Japan's Mainichi Shimbun newspaper said on Tuesday that China's economic reform enters a new phase in terms of the legal system, when the protection of private property is written into the constitution. It predicted that China's economic growth will continue in high gear by providing protection to entrepreneurs of private enterprises.

France's le Monde newspaper said that private property and entrepreneurs would be better protected after the protection of private property is written into the constitution.

The Second Session of the 10th National People's Congress, China's top legislative body, kicked off in Beijing on March 5, two days after the opening of the Second Session of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top advisory body.

(Xinhua News Agency March 11, 2004)