Leaders discuss govt work report with lawmakers

BEIJING - Chinese President Hu Jintao and other senior leaders on Monday joined lawmakers in panel discussions on the government work report, which was delivered by Premier Wen Jiabao at the parliament's annual session.

Hu said efforts should be focused on economic construction so as to ensure steady and relatively fast economic growth.

"We should pay more attention to coordinated and sustainable development in an all-around way, and mobilize the initiative of all people so as to form a great force to boost the country's modernization drive," Hu said when talking to deputies of the National People's Congress (NPC) from the coastal province of Jiangsu.

The Chinese President stressed the need to upgrade the industrial structure and boost the real economy as a way to transform the mode of the country's economic development.

He also underlined the importance of conserving energy, reducing emissions and promoting scientific innovation.

Transformation of the mode of development and economic restructuring are the most pressing tasks at present for the Chinese government, Wen said in the government work report.

These measures are the "key to solving the problems of imbalanced, uncoordinated, and unsustainable development" in China, said Wen.

Developed regions are at the forefront of China's reform and opening-up, and efforts should be made to push forward reform in key areas and in critical sectors, according to Hu.

The President also called for a deepened reform and opening-up in China's coastal regions and fostering new growth engines in the areas.

While joining a panel discussion with the NPC delegation from central China's Anhui province, top legislator Wu Bangguo called for efforts to promote economic growth and sustainable development by innovation and expanding domestic demands, especially the consumption demands.

Wu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, said the deep-seated problems and conflicts that hinder economic and social development should be solved, calling for breakthroughs in some important fields.

He also called for more attention to be paid to improving people's livelihood by addressing important issues concerning their lives, especially those of disadvantaged groups.

While discussing with NPC deputies from Beijing on Monday, Jia Qinglin, China's top political advisor, said the government work report delivered by Premier Wen was a good and practical one that could inspire people.

Jia said the report emphasized making progress while maintaining stability, outlined policy priorities on improving people's living standards and promoting social fairness and justice.

Jia stressed that transforming the pattern of economic development and facilitating strategic economic restructuring is the most urgent task for the country right now and will remain so for a long period to come.

Jia urged Beijing to take more effective measures to reduce air pollution, particularly improve air quality through the monitoring and treatment of tiny floating particles the size of 2.5 micrometers in diameter or less, known as PM 2.5.

When attending the panel discussion with NPC deputies from southwest China's Sichuan province, Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee, expressed appreciation for the progress made in building the area up following its devastating earthquake in 2008.

Sichuan should, based on its experience of post-quake rehabilitation programs, speed up opening-up and lead the development in west China, he said.

Li urged the province to follow the policy in the government work report to improve public cultural services.

The province should also launch campaigns to promote ethnic harmony, he added.

Monday is "Lei Feng's Day," the highlight of the campaign for learning from soldier Lei Feng, who has inspired Chinese for many generations. Lei devoted much of his spare time and money to selflessly helping the needy.

Li called on people in Sichuan to actively carry out the campaign and also promote the virtue local people had displayed in the quake rescue and relief.

At a panel discussion with the Shanghai delegation, Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping portrayed Shanghai as a city that maintains an important position in China's reform and development.

The local government should fully grasp the strategically important opportunity and achieve progresses in transforming economic development pattern, deepening reform and improving people's livelihood, he said.

Xi urged Shanghai to embark on a road of scientific development and transform development while maintaining a stable and relatively fast economic growth.

Shanghai should seek development driven by innovation by pushing forward reforms in all sectors with determination and courage, and promoting the competitiveness of the city.