Chinese premier calls for steady economic development

Chinese Primier Wen Jiabao delivers a speech at the meeting Wednesday on Chinese economic situation of the first half of the year, and the plan for the economic work in the latter half.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called for steady and continuous economic development in the second half of the year.

He made these remarks at a national television meeting of the State Council held Wednesday in Beijing.

Wen said China's economy had developed smoothly since the beginning of the year, with summer grain harvested, industries restructured at a fast pace, consumption growing, prices stable and people's livelihoods continuing to improve.

Remarkable progress has been achieved in social and economic development, and significant reforms made, he said.

Wen said that in the second half of 2006, more attention should be paid to the structure of the economy and the type of economic growth. China will focus more on saving energy and environmental protection, in order to promote sustainable development.

He demanded more efforts in several areas, including developing agriculture and farmers' incomes, curbing overheating in fixed assets investment, further controlling the real estate market, increasing efforts to save energy and protect the environment, boosting consumption, and promoting reforms in different areas.

Source: Xinhua