Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday presided over an executive meeting of the State Council on restructuring the grain sales system, subsidies for grain growers, and a draft regulation on promotion of non-State-run schools.

According to an official release on the meeting, participants at the meeting agreed on the importance of deepening the reform of the country's grain sales system, and lifting restrictions on grain purchase and offering direct subsidies to grain growers.

But the release did not go into detail on grain market liberalization, saying efforts are needed to ensure grain price stability in the process of the reform.

The reform was designed to encourage grain production and ensure grain market stability and grain security, according to the release.

At present, the State-owned grain companies maintain a monopoly over grain markets.

The draft regulation on promotion of non-State education was passed at the meeting, and will be made public by the State Council at an unspecified time.

(Xinhua News Agency February 26, 2004)