'Steady and robust' economic development

BEIJING - China's top political adviser Jia Qinglin highlighted real economy and a "steady and robust" economic development in a work report delivered on Saturday.

"We will concentrate our energies on stimulating steady and robust economic development and promoting social harmony and stability," Jia said in a work report at the opening meeting of the annual session of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

The nation's top political advisery body will coordinate with democratic parties and other organizations in making proposals and suggestions on a slew of economic issues, ranging from expanding domestic consumption to raising the levels of opening up, Jia said.

"Giving impetus to scientific development" is set as the advisery body's top priority, he said.

He also emphasized the importance of maintaining price stability and ensuring the supply of agricultural products, as well as the upgrading of industrial infrastructure, strengthening innovation, and the support and development of small enterprises.

Lan Hong-tsung, a member of the CPPCC National Committee from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said the report has helped to clarify the direction of future efforts.

"China has kept a GDP growth higher than 8 percent and a relatively low unemployment rate amid hard global economic climate. That gives us confidence and hope," he said.

Mei Xingbao, a member of the CPPCC National Committee and the former president of China Orient Asset Management Corporation, also expressed his optimism about the country's economic outlook.

"The eurozone debt crisis and the ongoing macro-economic control measures have slowed the economy, but there are many regions with new vigor and great potential for growth," he said.

Some economists had made the forecast that China may set an annual economic growth target below 8 percent for 2012. For instance, Nomura International predicted the GDP growth target might be as low as 7.5 percent.

The International Monetary Fund also lowered its forecast for China's economic growth in 2012 to 8.25 percent, from the previous 9 percent estimate issued in September.

The country's economic growth slowed to 9.2 percent in 2011, down from 10.3 percent in the previous year.

"The GDP growth is always higher than the target, I think it will have no problem surpassing 8 percent in 2012," said Mei.

Although there is no sign that the economy will face a "hard landing", strengthening the ability to guard against financial risks is still essential, he added.

Meanwhile, the CPPCC will focus on promoting social harmony and stability in 2012 by contributing wise and innovative social administration, Jia said.

Urbanization should not be understood simply as a rapid population shift to cities, it requires careful overall planning, said Liu Mingkang, former head of China's top banking regulator and a CPPCC National Committee member.

Liu urged local governments to improve their urban planning and scientific management as China experiences the spread of urbanization.

Bo Shaoye, an official from the China Disabled Persons' Federation and a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC, said he agreed with what Jia said on improving the construction of low-income urban housing as a vital part of innovative social administration.

"Currently, many disabled people are eligible for the low-income housing projects. However, such projects lack barrier-free facilities to satisfy the needs of the disabled," said Bo.

"Our government should place priority on understanding and respecting the needs of different social groups in its policy making and social management," he stressed.

Chen Guangbiao, a businessman and a high-profile philanthropist from East China's Jiangsu province, said he has been present at the CPPCC sessions as an observer for 12 years.

Chen urged the country's top political advisers to help cities recycle construction waste and domestic garbage more effectively.

"They should stop burying garbage and allowing it to occupy more land. It will eventually invade the living space of our future generations," said Chen.

China Daily