Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji chaired a forum in Beijing on January 27 to solicit opinions on the draft government work report from leaders of non-Communist parties, the Association of Industry and Commerce, and other non-party individuals.

Participants at the forum said that over the past year China achieved progress in all fields under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

The government work report, which will be delivered at the forthcoming Third Plenum of the Ninth National People's Congress, summed up the government's work over the past year and offered a practical analysis of existing problems, they said.

The tasks for the new year outlined by the government in the report are both realistic and feasible, with due emphasis on those of greatest importance, the participants noted.

They also suggested revisions to the report on issues such as the expansion of domestic demand, economic restructuring, development of the country's vast western region, and management enhancement, development of science and technology and education.

At the forum, Premier Zhu expressed his thanks to the participants for their suggestions and support to the government's work.

The central government will study their views and proposals and incorporate them into the government work report, Zhu said.

Earlier, the premier also chaired forums to solicit opinions from those in the fields of science, education, culture, and health and sports, as well as from businesses.