Voice from Madrid

Chinese premier Wen Jiabao pointed out today that China's economic growth rate should reach 8 percent roughly, the lowest requirement to avoid an unstable society caused by the wider gap between rich and poor and a 4.6 percent urban unemployment.

The government was very cautious to set up the goal since China's economic growth reached 8.7 percent last year, despite the impact of the financial turmoil, especially the heavy losses on exports. China's economy is expected to recover faster this year.

Wen also emphasized that China will alter the policy to deal with the crisis to turn away from inflation and the overheating in some departments. He said that China should use this "key year" to transfer the economic model beyond the export of cheap industrial products.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, emphasized the need for adjusting the economic structure and advancing people's living standards in his opening speech at the third session of the 11th CPPCC.

His opening speech indicates that Beijing pays close attention to social stability. He said the CPPCC will focus on the factors of instability caused by the widening income gap. Thus, he emphasized the importance of the transformation of economic growth, namely by investment and export in a more sustainable and ecologically sound style.

He said in the opening speech that the CPPCC will discuss measures to adjust the income distribution and promote impartial public service in order to advance social fairness and justice.

Netizen: Rosa 03/03

European Union has been the biggest trade partner of China. And compared with US, I think China is more important for EU. It’s just a question of time that China’s economy will surpass US. During this global financial crisis, we can see that EU and US have been not confident enough to solve a global problem without China.

For Spain, I think the current communication with China under the frame of EU is not enough. Spain and China both have marvelous cultures. I think both governments should strengthen the cultural exchange between the two countries. Let the people be friends.