CHINA> National
Premier vows support, calls for confidence amid crisis
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-05 09:08

BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Thursday called on the nation to strengthen conviction for victory as he announced an unprecedented package plan to keep economic growth amid a global downturn.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivers a government work report during the opening meeting of the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2009. [Xinhua]

China predicts 8 percent growth in 2009
More videos:
China's stimulus package enough
Deficit financing plans remarkable

Time to change China's growth model
Slight rise in military budget

Delivering a work report to the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's parliament, Wen said he believes the country will be able to keep its economic growth at about 8 percent in 2009 despite worsening world economy.

Full Coverage:
NPC-CPPCC 2009 

Related readings:
Military forces to be trained for IT-based warfare
Wen calls for more cross-Straits cooperation, end of hostility
Wen: 8% growth can be achieved
$17.55 billion to boost agricultural
China to boost welfare, healthcare

Wen acknowledged that 2009 will be the most difficult year for China's economic development since the new millennium, but he said the projected growth rate was proposed based on China's need and ability.

"In China, a developing country with a population of 1.3 billion, maintaining a certain growth rate for the economy is essential for expanding employment for both urban and rural residents, increasing people's incomes and ensuring social stability," Wen told nearly 3,000 NPC deputies gathering in the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.

"As long as we adopt the right policies and appropriate measures and implement them efficiently, we will be able to achieve this target," he said.


Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivers the goverment work report to the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing March 5, 2009. [Agencies]

Other key economic and social targets included creating more than 9 million jobs in cities, controlling urban registered unemployment rate under 4.6 percent and keeping the rise of Consumer Price Index (CPI) at about 4 percent.

Listing key government tasks, Wen said the focus this year is to sustain economic growth, improve people's wellbeing and maintain stability.

   Previous page 1 2 3 4 5 Next Page