More social responsibilities

Unlike companies in more sophisticated market economies, Chinese central SOEs were obliged to take up more social responsibility.

The country's two largest oil producers were asked to keep production at full speed to satisfy market demand with more refined products in the face of a shortfall. The move came at a time when some refiners chose to cut production due to the widening gap between domestic oil prices and international crude prices.

SOEs were also mobilized to keep prices of food, cooking oil and meat stable when more supplies were released into the market amid price hikes.

These state-owned enterprises were expected to also take the lead in fulfilling the country's energy conservation and emission reduction targets.

An earlier report said 14 central SOEs were organized by the Chinese government to offer about 1,000 jobs for fresh graduates by the end of 2008, those from low-income families in particular.

Eleven central SOEs have issued social responsibility reports so far, and the SASAC would publish a guideline for central SOEs to perform social responsibilities in the near future.