Vice President Zeng Qinghong has encouraged China's central regions to follow the scientific outlook on development and build a harmonious society in order to further their economic and social advancement.

The scientific outlook on development is a "momentous strategy and guiding principle" of the Chinese Communist Party in social and economic development, while building of a harmonious society is an important objective of the Party, Zeng said while joining deputies to the National People's Congress from Jiangxi Province in their deliberation of Premier Wen Jiabao's work report on Saturday.

Jiangxi, a relatively underdeveloped revolutionary base, is one of the six provinces included in China's ongoing campaign to prosper the central regions. The other five are Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Shanxi and Anhui.

Zeng exchanged views with the deputies on diverse issues including China's macro-economic control, boosting of central China regions, building of a national innovation system, support for agriculture, farmers and the rural areas as well as in-depth reforms of state-owned enterprises.

He praised Premier Wen's report as holistic, systematic, practical and inspiring, adding that the year 2004 witnessed advances in the building of a well-off society.

He said the great achievements were made in social and economic development in Jiangxi over the past year.

The vice-president called for sustained efforts from the CPC provincial committee and the provincial government of Jiangxi to speed up local economic growth, strive for overall social advancement, intensify reforms and safeguard social stability.

"It's particularly important to foster reemployment," said Zeng, adding that a steady job and a happy life are conducive to social stability and harmony.

(Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2005)