Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has urged the country's taxation authorities at all levels to carry out taxation work strictly in accordance with the law to ensure steady growth in tax revenue.

In his written comments on the work to a national taxation conference, Wen said all taxation departments should manage taxation, reinforce tax legislation and standardize the enforcement of tax laws.

He also called for efforts to promote reforms of the taxation system in a planned and step-by-step way.

China has made a historical breakthrough in tax revenue, which totaled 1,984.3 billion yuan (US$239.7 billion), excluding customs tariffs and agricultural taxes, up to Dec. 20 this year, increasing by 20.9 percent on a yearly basis and overfulfilling this year's set target.

(Xinhua News Agency December 29, 2003)