The Chinese government is set to deepen economic reform in year 2000, targeting the revival of state-owned enterprises, said the Central Economic Working Conference which closed here today.

It is most important to meet the three-year target for SOE reform and the development of the state's economic work next year, said the conference. It is also necessary to handle the relationship between improving enterprises' external conditions and transforming their managerial mechanism.

The conference noted that the country has taken many measures to relieve these enterprises' debt burdens, streamlining and laying off surplus personnel, and separating social functions from the enterprises' main business, all of which will be continued in the coming year.

As far as the enterprises are concerned, priority should be given to establishing the modern corporate system and setting up managerial mechanisms adaptable to the market economy, the source said.

The conference urged various localities and enterprises to handle the relationship between the long-term goal and the phased targets for SOE reform and development, which will be a long task.

The economic working conference stressed the importance of meeting the three-year target set by the Central Government for SOE reform and development, which is a key task of the country's economic work.

While focusing on SOE reform and development in the coming year, reform moves should be carried out in the sectors of finance, circulation, science and technology, education, housing, and social insurance.

The conference stressed the importance of speeding up scientific and technological progress and enhancing technical renovation.

It urged various enterprises to track, introduce and assimilate the latest scientific and technological results worldwide, and make strides in developing and renovating their own technologies.

The conference called for further reform in the scientific and technological system and the establishment of a mechanism combining the latest scientific results with production. (Xinhua)