State Council discusses draft government work report

BEIJING, Jan. 23 -- China's State Council, or the Cabinet, on Thursday convened its second plenary meeting to discuss a draft government work report to be delivered at the top legislature's annual session in March.

After the meeting, which was presided over by Premier Li Keqiang and attended by vice premier Zhang Gaoli and other members, the State Council decided to send the draft government work report to provincial regions in order to solicit opinions. The government work report is delivered by China's premier to its National People's Congress at the top legislature's annual session. It serves as a general guideline for the government's work as it reviews progress in the previous year, makes plans and sets targets for the current year.

Li said the government will solicit social opinions, especially opinions from the grassroots, so that it can revise the report to address the people's concerns and prioritize major issues in this year.

He noted that 2013 was the first year of the current government. Facing complicated situations, China's GDP growth rate reached 7.7 percent, and in the meantime prices were maintained at a relatively low level. People's livelihood was improved.

The achievement was not easily gained, said the premier, adding that some measures that proved effective in 2013 should be further carried out.

The situation this year is still serious, and China requires further contributions to maintaining healthy and continuous development of the economy and society, according to Li.

He urged the government to closely follow up on the economic situation, bolster agricultural production in winter and spring, pay adequate attention to regulate economic operation, as well as ensure the basic livelihood of the people.

Li also called on governments at all levels and their staff to abide by the central authority's policies concerning promoting thrift during the upcoming Chinese traditional lunar new year.