Web users laud income-doubling goal

BEIJING -- Chinese microbloggers have praised a goal set by the ruling Communist Party of China to double resident income from the level in 2010 by 2020, but not without some doubt.

"A doubled income. A multiplied price," microblogger "Wenshiwuxin" wrote Friday on Sina Weibo, a popular microblogging site, mirroring a widespread concern that inflation will outpace rising incomes.

In a report to the 18th CPC National Congress on Thursday, President Hu Jintao announced that by 2020, "we should double the 2010 GDP and per capita income for both urban and rural residents."

It marked the first time for the CPC to declare a goal of doubling per capita resident income. Previously, it had set goals to double GDP and per capita GDP, respectively.

However, there are doubts as to whether setting the goal will actually raise purchasing power and living standards.

"Will it mean that housing prices will be even higher when income is doubled in ten years? We cannot afford an apartment even with a doubled income right now," wrote "Relaxxin" on Sina Weibo.

The income-doubling goal comes as China is beleaguered by a slew of social challenges, such as income disparity. Low- and middle-income groups face the problem of rising food prices and skyrocketing inflation, which didn't start to cease until this year.

Zhang Yuewen, an economist at the Academy of Social Sciences, said that under statistical rules, the income-doubling goal should be an actual number adjusted for inflation and the real purchasing power of a doubled income will be guaranteed.

The Beijing News ran an editorial Friday titled "Income-doubling plan merits great anticipation".

Realization of the plan would require a real annual economic growth rate of 7.2 percent, a feasible target for China, the editorial said.

According to the editorial, the plan will also need breakthroughs in the reform of the income distribution system.

"In one word, a set goal needs action," it said.

On Thursday afternoon, Premier Wen Jiabao told congress delegates from the city of Tianjin that increasing people's incomes is one of the focal tasks to be addressed in the next five years.

Wen is expected to leave his post early next year.