Government and Policy

Chinese Premier Wen chats online with Internet users

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-02-27 09:51

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao began his online chat with netizens at 9 am Sunday, Feb 27, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao began his online chat with netizens here at 9 am Sunday jointly hosted by the central government website (www.gov.cn) and Xinhua News Agency website (www.news.cn).

He also said that the government is striving to ensure that the people live a comfortable life with security and confidence in the period of 2011-2015.

Related readings:  Chinese Premier to chat with Internet users

China's development blueprint for the coming five years will place high emphasis on the efforts to improve the people's livelihood, Wen said.

To enhance the people's living standards is "our work's starting point as well as the final aim," he said.

Greater efforts will be made to boost social development and progress, especially in those key sectors and aspects concerning national development and mass interests, the premier said.

Premier Wen held online chats with netizens on Feb 28, 2009 and Feb 27, 2010, respectively.

Major Issues Discussed:

Wen: China's rise lies in talents, education, not GDP

"The whole world is talking about China's rise, and what the people talk about most is (China's) GDP. But I think China's rise lies in talents and education," he said. >>

China to reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP

Wen Jiabao said that the country aims to reduce energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product (GDP) by 16 to 17 percent by 2015 from 2011 levels. >>

GDP growth target for 2011-2015 set at 7%

Wen Jiabao said the government is to set its annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth target for the 2011-2015 period at 7 percent, highlighting the need to raise the quality of growth and improve the living standards of the people. >>

China to rein in soaring consumer prices

In answering questions from Internet users concerning rising price pressures, Wen said he would not allow the consumer prices to surge unchecked in the country. >>

Taming housing prices

"We have to contain the excessive price growth and keep housing prices at a reasonable level," Wen said. "I am still confident that we will achieve the goal of policies." >>

Cabinet to discuss raising threshold of personal income tax

The plan, if coming into effect, would benefit China's whole medium and low-income groups. >>

Making medical service accessible to every citizen

Wen said China will increase annual government subsidies this year for insurance premiums to 200 yuan ($30.4) per person and inpatient medical fee reimbursement rates for urban residents and farmers will be increased to 70 percent. >>

China to build more high-quality rural schools

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao pledged the country will build more high-quality rural schools and take measures to make the nine-year compulsory education in cities more accessible to migrant workers' children. >>

Funds for water conservation

Wen Jiabao said the government would build a more effective monitoring mechanism to ensure the funds allocated for water conservation projects not be embezzled. >>

Anti-graft efforts

China will make the investigation and punishment of corrupt principal officials the "primary task" of its anti-graft endeavor this year, Premier Wen said. >>

Pension hike for business retirees

Wen vowed that the Chinese government would continue to increase pension for business retirees to improve their lives. >>

Income distribution 

"We will ensure that people's income increase be kept pace with economic growth and people's salary growth be kept pace with the productivity rise," he said. >>

'No discrimination' against farmer-turned workers

The government is mulling more measures to reform the household registration system, or hukou, in an active and steady manner and a policy circular in this regard will be disclosed, Wen said. >>

Exchange rate reform

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told Internet users Sunday that the country will push forward the yuan's exchange rate reform in a prudent and step-by-step manner to ensure social stability. >>