China will stick to its people-centered policy in its new approach to development, said Chinese State Councilor Hua Jianmin on Thursday.

The Chinese government is currently focusing on four areas: promoting economic growth, conserving energy, tackling agricultural and rural problems and encouraging innovation, Hua told a session of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

China's economy grew 10.7 percent in 2006 with low inflation, he said, adding that the economy is expected to maintain an impressive growth in 2007.

He said, however, the Chinese government will put efficiency before speed and seek "to build a resources-efficient and environment-friendly society."

By 2010, China will cut energy consumption of per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by about 20 percent, reduce emissions of major pollutants by 10 percent and increase the recycle rate of industrial solid waste to 60 percent, he said.

As the rural population accounts for over half of China's total population, he pledged the Chinese government "will continue to strive for coordinated development between rural and urban areas, and follow the principle of industry nurturing agriculture and cities supporting the countryside."

To support agricultural development, promote rural prosperity and increase rural income are top priorities on China's modernization agenda, said Hua.

(Xinhua News Agency January 26, 2007)