Premier Wen Jiabao presided over the meeting and made an important speech in which he briefed the members on the major tasks of the State Council in the coming five years, and stressed the need to further emancipate the mind, seek truth from facts and keep pace with the times.

He said that the next five years are very crucial for China to build a "Xiaokang" (relatively affluent) society in an all round way. He asked the State Council members to honor the power entrusted to them by the people, and, under the leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Hu Jintao as its General Secretary, to perform their duties in line with the Constitution.

The new government will undoubtedly make great achievements and perform well in all areas, as long as it adheres to the CPC theories, guidelines, principles and policies which have been proven to be valid in practice, noted Wen Jiabao.

He pointed out that, under the guidance of the Deng Xiaoping theories and the important thought of Three Represents, the newly-elected government will implement the spirit of the 16th CPC National Congress which was held last November, build a Xiaokang society in an all round way, accelerate the pace of socialist modernization, deepen reform and opening up to the outside world and improve the socialist market economic system and the people's standard of living.

Other major tasks for the government include implementing the strategy of revitalizing the country through science and education, maintaining social stability and developing the national economy in order to push forward the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Wen stressed that 2003 is the first year for the implementation of the spirit of the 16th CPC National Congress and also the first year for the newly-elected government to perform its duties.

Wen asked the State Council staff to adopt a down-to-earth attitude toward economic and other duties in order to push forward comprehensive progress in the society, in accordance with the arrangements of the 16th CPC National Congress and the first session of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC) which ended last week.

He also gave instructions on the work currently facing the State Council. Wen Jiabao said that the newly-elected government must implement its duties in strict conformity with the Constitution and relevant laws.

The premier asked the new government members to make progress in scientific and democratic decision-making, insisting on governing in accordance with laws and strengthening democratic supervision over administration.

(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2003)