Zheng Wantong, secretary-general of the Ninth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said Sunday that members of the advisory body spoke highly of the report delivered by Premier Zhu Rongji last Monday on the country's Draft Outline of the 10th Five-year (2001- 2005) Economic and Social Development Plan.

In his sum-up report to the 13th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Ninth CPPCC National Committee on the Committee's annual session due to close Monday, Zheng said CPPCC National Committee members agree that Premier Zhu has made a thorough analysis of a series of strategic, macro and policy issues, and put forward counter-measures, and that the premier's report embodies the will of the people and is most encouraging.

According to Zheng, members of the CPPCC National Committee maintain that the premier's report and the draft plan have the following six features:

First, they point the way ahead with regard to major issues that need to be solved and areas calling for priority development.

Second, the number of economic targets in the draft plan has been reduced to about 30 from about 100 in the previous plan, while the number of anticipated targets on structural changes in the draft plan has increased.

Third, they make clear the relationship between the market, the enterprise and the government under market economic conditions.

Fourth, they give priority to resolving issues that have a direct bearing on the interests of the people, reflecting the principle of putting people's interests first.

Fifth, they emphasize system innovation and scientific and technological innovations. And

Sixth, they include ways on how to implement the plan.

Zheng said the members also put forward revision proposals on the draft plan during their discussions, which have been summarized and submitted to the General Office of the State Council for reference.

(People’s Daily 03/12/2001)