Members of the country's parliament and the government's top advisory body spent much of Saturday focusing on the premier's work report. China's leaders, including Premier Wen Jiabao and Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, joined the panel discussions of lawmakers and political advisors. They expressed their views on the development of the country.

Premier Wen Jiabao joined discussions with legislators from the northeastern province of Heilongjiang. The premier focused on the rule of law, saying that governments at all levels should administer according to law and all government workers should learn to handle economic and social affairs according to law.

Jia Qinglin, the country's top advisor, spoke positively on the implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle and the administration of basic laws since Hong Kong and Macao returned to China.

Jia told members of the CPPCC from Hong Kong and Macao that the central government always believes the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong and Macao compatriots support the principle. He also stated his belief that compatriots in the two regions are fully competent and have their ways to manage the two regions well.

Discussing the Premier's work report, the participants of the two sessions say that after years of high-speed economic growth, the ever-expanding discrepancy in economy and social development is finally showing its negative side. Therefore, it's both timely and necessary for the government to adapt and accelerate the development of public health, culture, education and physical education.

According to CPPCC member Zi Huajun, "I propose the government increase its investment in cultural affairs. The protection of cultural heritage, especially the non-material ones, is a very important part of a country's cultural development."

Many participants say a balanced development between the country's rural and urban areas is an urgent priority on the government's agenda. They called for more investment into agriculture and for structural improvements to the rural economy.

(Xinhua News Agency March 8, 2004)