China's State Council held a meeting Monday to consult economists on the economic situation in the first three quarters of this year and government plans for the fourth quarter and next year.

Premier Wen Jiabao, who presided over the meeting, reminded participants that when the new cabinet was formed in March, it pledged to consult public opinion on major issues involving economic and social development, to make decisions in a scientific way, in accordance with law, and under democratic supervision.

Wen, also a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, said this is the third such meeting since then, with the previous two focusing on the economic situation and public health.

At the meeting, some of the country's top economists and government officials, such as Zhou Zhengqing and Wu Jinglian, voiced their views on the economic situation. They also gave advices and comments on issues like agriculture, employment, macroeconomic control, and the deepening of economic restructuring.

Vice-Premiers Huang Ju, Wu Yi, Zeng Peiyan and Hui Liangyu, as well as Hua Jianmin, state councilor and secretary-general of the State Council, were also present.

(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2003)