China will continue to carry out the macro-economic control
measures in the fourth quarter of this year so as to achieve the
targets set for the year and lay a good foundation for next year,
according to a top government meeting concluded in Beijing
Friday.
The executive meeting of the State Council, China's cabinet, was
held to review the national economic situation in the third quarter
and arrange economic work for the fourth quarter. It was chaired by
Premier Wen
Jiabao.
The participants agreed that in the past quarter, the overall
economy continued to develop toward the set macro-control
targets.
This could be seen from the steady and relatively rapid growth
and good performance, an ensured increase in grain output,
continued fall back of in the growth of fixed asset investment,
sustained rise in foreign trade and foreign capita influx, fairly
balanced revenue and expenditure, expanding employment and increase
in people's income, especial that of farmers, and rapid progress in
social undertakings and sustained social stability.
According to the meeting, the current economic situation is
still plagued by quite a few outstanding problems, including an
unsteady agricultural foundation, excessively big scale of fixed
asset investment, and growing pressure of inflation.
Thus priorities should be given to the following areas in the
fourth quarter:
-- further improve the work related to agriculture, farmers and
rural areas;
-- continue to rein in the scale of fixed asset investment, with
emphasis placed on new projects, strict management of land, and
rational control over bank lending;
-- do a good job in arranging coal and electricity supply and
railway transport to meet the need of the people for production and
daily life in the winter;
-- continue to strive for revenue growth and spending cut;
-- strengthen supervision over the market and prices to
stabilize prices;
-- pay high attention to solving problems concerning the
fundamental interests of the masses, especially the needy group in
both urban and rural areas, and continue to improve employment and
social security; and
-- improve production safety, prevent the occurrence of major
accidents and properly handle social conflicts to safeguard social
stability.
(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2004)