Premier vows efforts to promote political restructuring
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-03-05 10:35

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Friday concrete and prudent efforts will be made this year topromote political restructuring, develop socialist democracy andimprove the socialist legal system, on the road of strengtheningdemocracy and the legal system and safeguarding national securityand social stability.

"We will further expand democracy at the lowest levels ofgovernment, improve self-governance by villagers and urbanresidents, and respect the democratic rights of the governmentauthorities and people at the lowest levels of government," Wensaid in his report on the government work at the nationallegislature's annual session.

"We will uphold and improve the system of workers' conferencesand other systems of democratic management practiced in governmentinstitutions and enterprises and protect the legitimate rights andinterests of workers," while continuing to carefully carry outwork related to ethnic minorities, religious groups and overseasChinese, he said.

In order to promote common prosperity and progress for all ourethnic groups, the state will increase support for economic andsocial development in ethnic minority areas and intensify trainingof ethnic minorities in all fields of work.

He pledged to fully implement the policy of freedom ofreligious belief, handle religious affairs in accordance with thelaw, help religious organizations adhere to the principle ofindependence and self-governance, and actively guide religions toadapt to socialist society.

"We will improve our work concerning overseas Chinese, theirrelatives in China and returned overseas Chinese, and fullyutilize their unique role in promoting the reunification of themotherland and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," said thepremier.

Priority should be given to legislation for dealing withemergencies, protecting farmers' rights and interests,safeguarding employment and social security and developing socialundertakings.

"We will work hard to improve the quality of governmentlegislation. We must solicit opinions from all sectors of societywhen drafting important laws and administrative regulations thataffect the vital interests of the people. We will work to improvelegal and notary services and carefully carry out legal assistancework," he said.

The legitimate rights and interests of women, minors and thehandicapped shall be protected as prescribed by law, he said."We will increase publicity and education concerning the law inorder to create a good social environment in which the peoplestudy the law, understand the legal system and abide by the law,"the premier said.

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