Vice Premier Li Lanqing November 19 said that education of juveniles should be strengthened and the healthy growth of young people be encouraged.

Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks Thursday evening when he went to an exhibition arranged to call social attention to preventing juvenile delinquency.

He said the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have been greatly concerned with the issues of teenagers and their involvement in illegal activities.

He pointed out that fostering teenagers lays the foundation for building socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The vice premier said that prevention and reduction of juvenile delinquency not only concerns young people and their families, but also affects social development and the country's future.

He stressed that the key for preventing and reducing juvenile delinquency is education, adding that proper education for teenagers would have a positive, life-long impact.

Families and schools are especially responsible for juvenile education, and schools should offer legal education so that students can have a sense of the law at an early age.

Li urged departments concerned to provide more employment and training opportunities for young people who have been released from prison.

He said the prevention of juvenile delinquency is a gradual task that requires the attention of the Party and all of society.

The exhibition, opened on October 25, was jointly sponsored by 13 ministries and departments including Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Education.