At the same time, Party committees at all levels should strengthen the leadership of the people's congress and bring them role into full play, said Li during a recent inspection tour to east China's Shandong Province.

Li, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, visited new high-tech businesses, harbors and economic development zones in Qingdao, a scenic port City in Shandong.

In talks with people's congress members in Qingdao City and Shandong Province, Li said experience showed that the more a region developed, the greater its need to operate under the framework of the law.

He urged the people's congress and its standing committee at all levels to be innovative and widen their experience.

When not in session, the people's congress should also engage in organized activities in a planned manner and make proposals to leading authorities.

He urged local officials to work hard to solve the problems in economic development, open wider to the outside world, reform state-owned enterprises and improve the environment for foreign investors.

(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2002)