The government should pay attention to three crucial aspects when shifting towards a service-oriented function, says a signed article in People's Daily. An excerpt follows:

Premier Wen Jiabao told the media during a press conference last Tuesday that China must unswervingly push forward its reform and opening-up drive and follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

More than 20 years of practice shows that administrative reform has been carried out in an orderly and smooth manner. The various social reforms, such as reforms of the financial system and state-owned enterprises, are all connected to the reform of government functions.

The focus of administrative reform is to transform government functions from an all-round type to a service-oriented one.

Three issues should be solved to realize the transformation.

First, the government should provide more and better public products. The rapidly increasing public needs should be met. During the 11th Five-Year?Guidelines period (2006-10), public service is to be raised to an unprecedented height.

Second, the government should create a sound environment for economic fair play as well as a good environment for human living and development.

Last but not least, new concepts should be accepted for better reform. Enterprises and the public should be able to enter arenas that are not forbidden by law.

(China Daily March 22, 2006)