President Hu Jintao on Wednesday stressed the need to maintain a sound economy while realizing fast growth.

"We should correctly handle the relations between sound and fast with the stress on sound development, said Hu as he presided over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

China should have a clear understanding of global economic trend and its influence on the Chinese economy and prepare for a fast-changing and complicated situation, Hu said.

"We have to regulate our macroeconomic policies well, so as to prolong steady, relatively fast economic growth as long as possible," he said.

China was making every effort to curb price hikes and prevent structural price rises from becoming inflationary.

Surges in prices of staples such as pork, cooking oil and grain since May 2007 lifted the country's consumer price index (CPI) to 4.8 percent in 2007, well above the government's 3 percent target.

To meet the requirements of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects, the Party and government officials should know the essence of Scientific Outlook on Development, Hu said.

"We shall fully implement the concept of putting people first. The Party and government shall fulfill people's expectation of a better life and solve issues that matter most to their interests," he said.

The country will benefit the people with economic development and guarantee their political, social and cultural rights, he said.

"We will try our best to provide all Chinese with education, health care, pensions, housing and employment," he said.

China will balance the development of the political, economic and social sectors, he said. The country will speed up administrative reform, improve public services, increase energy efficiency and foster eco-friendly industries, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2008)