The ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) is expected to enshrine the "scientific concept of development" in the 11th Five-Year Plan, a new roadmap for China's development from 2006-10, according to observers.

The concept, advocated by President Hu Jintao two years ago, will become the guiding theory for building a "harmonious society," said Yan Shuhan, a professor with the Central Party School.

China's central authorities are calling for the building of a society that will improve the lives of millions of farmers and poor urban dwellers currently left out of the country's economic boom eradicating the roots of social unrest.

The CPC Central Committee is now gathering in Beijing for a four-day plenary session that will conclude Tuesday.

They are discussing the country's five-year development plan, with the view of seeking "sustainable, healthy, coordinated and rapid development," Yan said.

According to Yan, the development aims to improve the welfare of the Chinese people so as to reflect the "people-centered ideal."

Hu, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, introduced the "scientific concept of development" in 2003 against the background of widening income disparities, a deteriorating environment and the rapidly increasing consumption of natural resources.

Hu has several times emphasized the need to change the traditional concept of development and increase the country's ability to innovate.

Zheng Xinli, deputy director of the Central Policy Research Office, attributed China's growth to the huge investment and excessive consumption of natural resources.

Growth must be achieved through scientific progress and improvement in laborers' quality, Zheng was quoted by Xinhua as saying.

From 1979 to 2004, China's economy grew by a blistering 9.4 percent annual average, making it the sixth largest economy in the world.

However, China's consumption of natural resources is alarming: its gross domestic product accounts for 4 percent of the world, while its consumption of water accounts for 15 percent of the world, steel for 28 percent and cement for 50 percent.

(China Daily October 10, 2005)