China must press on with its historic reform agenda of the past two decades
despite growing economic, social and environmental problems, Prime Minister Wen
Jiabao said.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao gestures during his
annual press conference following the close of the National People's
Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Wen said that
China must press on with its historic reform agenda of the past two
decades despite growing economic, social and environmental problems.
[AFP] |
"We need to consistently and unswervingly press ahead with reform and opening
up," Wen told a press conference following the end of the nation's annual
parliamentary session.
"We need to continue to adhere to the road of socialism with Chinese
characteristics. Although there will be difficulties in the way ahead, we cannot
stop. Back-pedaling is not a way out."
The economic and social reforms introduced by then-leader Deng Xiaoping in
the early 1980s have transformed China, with its economy now the fourth
biggest in the world.
Wen admitted that his government had in recent years not adequately addressed
issues that affected ordinary people's livelihoods.
"The problems I find most heart-breaking during my past three years' work are
that I haven't been able to better solve the problems that Chinese people are
most concerned about like health, education, housing and security," he said.
