Premier Wen Jiabao has described the country's goal of doubling its year 2000 per capita gross domestic product (GDP) figure by 2010 as "active and prudent."

The goal is based on an overall consideration of economic performance from 2001 to 2005 and conditions for development in the coming five years, he said in his explanation, released yesterday, on a proposal on the 11th Five-Year Program at the Fifth Session of the 16th Communist Party of China Central Committee last week.

The plan draws up the nation's 2006-2010 economic and social blueprint.

Wen described the goal of reducing energy costs per unit GDP by 20 percent in the coming five years as "achievable."

This reflects the requirement for the building of an energy-saving and environmentally-friendly society and sustainable development, he said.

Wen acknowledged that in recent years, the speed of energy consumption was faster than economic growth, showing that there is still much potential for saving energy and raising the efficiency of energy use.

China's economy expanded at 9.5 percent in the first half of the year and is widely expected to see only a slight slowdown in 2006.

But the economy, Wen warned, rides excessively on increased investment and material input. The inefficient growth pattern, sparking increasingly acute contradictions between resources and the environment, "can no longer continue," the premier said.

Wen highlighted the "scientific concept of development," indicating the shift in the government's development philosophy.

The proposal of the CPC Central Committee is based on the "scientific concept of development" that will also be the guide in the whole process of China's reform and opening-up drive, he said.

In his explanation, the premier also called for more efforts to build a harmonious society, saying that employment, social security, poverty reduction, education, medical care, environmental protection and safety will be given priority.

He said that employment will remain a tough issue for a long period of time to come, so China has to carry out pro-active employment policies and try every means to create job opportunities.

On social security, the premier called for further efforts to improve the pension system, basic medical care, unemployment, industrial injuries and maternity care, to earnestly resolve the social security issue for migrant farmer workers in cities, and to set up a security system of minimum living standards for rural areas.

(China Daily October 20, 2005)