Development is the most important task for the Communist Party of China (CPC), said Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), during his inspection tour in east Anhui Province from Nov. 14-19.

It is necessary to highlight development under all circumstances and persist in treating economic construction as the central task, which is the fundamental way to solve diverse contradictions and problems in the road ahead, said Wu, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Accompanied by Anhui provincial Party and government leaders, Wu visited Hefei, the provincial capital, Bengbu, Huainan and Fuyang where he inspected a colliery, scientific research institutes, colleges and rural households.

The important thought of Three Represents should be adhered to as a guide, and guidelines of the 16th CPC Congress and the 3rd plenum of the 16th CPC should be fully implemented, Wu said.

"With new tasks under a new situation, it is imperative to adhere to a scientific development view, persist in adjusting structure, pay great attention to quality and efficiency of economic growth, respect innovative spirit of the broad masses of the people to promote economic development and a complete social progress," said Wu.

Wu went down the 630-meter-deep shaft at the Zhangji Colliery of Huainan Mining Group and called on coal miners working at the front-line, where he urged safety in production.

He also visited rural villages that had been affected by the serious flooding on the Huaihe River this summer. He told villagers that the central government was very concerned about life and reconstruction of the local people after the floods.

"The central government pays great attention to harnessing of the Huaihe River and has decided to increase investment to redouble efforts in harnessing the river, " said Wu.

Wu added that it is necessary to do a good job of reconstruction after the flooding, properly accommodate residents affected by the floods, organize and help people in the flood-affected regions to resume production, rebuild homes so that these people could have enough to eat, have shelters to live and have medical doctors around when they fall ill.

(Xinhua News Agency November 19, 2003)