Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao chaired four forums from February 6 to February 10 to solicit opinions on the government work report and the draft of the 11th Five-Year program for national economic and social development.

Members from non-Communist Parties and various walks of life, including experts from social economic organizations along with those from science and technology, education, health, culture and sports circles were invited to the meetings and asked to air their views on the government work report and the 11th-five-year plan, which will be tabled for deliberation at the upcoming fourth session of the National People's Congress (NPC), slated to begin on March 5.

Participants of the meetings unanimously endorsed the framework and main content of the government work report and the 11th five-year plan of the national economic and social development. They also raised some ideas and proposed a couple of revisions to the report and the development plan.

At the meeting attended by leaders of the non-Communist parties, participants offered suggestions on a wide range of subjects, including the implementation of the scientific conception of development, the implementation of macro-economic controls, the building of a new socialist countryside, the building of environmentally friendly society and the development of the non-public economy.

At the meeting of economic and social experts and scholars, participants called for further pushing forward reforms and opening-up to the outside world, speeding up the transformation of the mode of economic growth, enlarging consumption demand, expanding employment and enhancing the construction of a harmonious society.

At the meeting on science, education, health, culture and sports, experts raised some issues relating to university and college education, rural education and occupational education. Experts from medical fields offered some suggestions on improving medical services in rural areas.

At the meeting attended by representatives of entrepreneurs, workers and farmers, participants raised suggestions to ensure production safety, help small and medium-size enterprises to gain bank loans, and foster a fair legal environment.

Wen said the opinions and suggestions made by participants reflect the reality of the country's social and economic development and will be incorporated into the final editions of the government work report and the 11th Five-Year program for national economic and social development.

(Xinhua News Agency February 12, 2006)