Wen: Reform, opening policy to continue
By Zhao Huanxin (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-03-05 14:08

China will continue to expand its 30-year-old opening and reform policy, Premier Wen Jiabao said in Beijing Wednesday.

Wen told nearly 3,000 deputies attending the annual meeting of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, the policy had brought about historic change.

He said the country should "expand the breadth and depth of openness and make its economy more open."

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As such, further reforms of State-owned businesses will be made and their ownership structures will be improved. There will also be changes to the fiscal and taxation systems, with strengthened oversight.

Wen said the government would accelerate change in the pattern of its foreign trade, improve the mix of exports, encourage exports with Chinese intellectual property rights and trademarks, and raise the quality and added value of exports.

The country's importation policy will focus on advanced technology and equipment, important raw materials, key spare parts and components.

China would limit or ban foreign investments in projects that are energy intensive or highly polluting, Wen said.

The premier also vowed to improve oversight of the quality and safety of China-made products..

"It is imperative that people feel confident about the safety of food and other consumer goods and that our exports have a good reputation," he said.