Blueprint for reform

The annual Central Conference on Economic Work is meant for tune- and agenda-setting, rather than for technicalities. Judging by the priorities set for 2013, most policies identified a year ago will be continued, with the new proposal to "actively and steadily" press ahead with urbanization in a "proper" manner.

This is a matter of course, essentially because of the truth that our economic fundamentals remain basically unchanged.

The pledge to deepen reforms in the economic system in an all-round manner and unswervingly expand opening-up are not new. Nor is the proposal to stabilize growth, transform the economic mode and adjust structure. Not even the nod to "crossing the river by feeling the stones", a motto of Chinese reformers for more than 30 years.