Wen: Chen Shui-bian's move 'dangerous, deceptive'
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-03-14 10:24

The development of the Sino-Japanese relations should follow the spirit and principle of "taking history as a mirror and looking forward to the future" and the three political documents.

Wen called for the two countries to continue strategic dialogue between the governments so as to remove obstacles affecting the bilateral relations.

"We should also strengthen people-to-people exchanges and enhance mutual understanding and trust," Wen said.

Foreign and domestic journalists attend Premier Wen Jiabao's press conference after the conclusion of the annual session of the National People's Congress in Beijing, March 14, 2006. The annual meeting of the nation's top lawmaking body closed Tuesday at the Great Hall of the People. [Xinhua]

Wen also urged to stabilize and develop Sino-Japanese trade and economic ties, in a bid to expanding "mutual beneficial cooperation for win-win results."

Premier Wen's press conference was telecast live in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday morning.

** Heavy polluters face punishment

China failed to meet the environmental objective in the 10th five-year plan while most of the objectives have been achieved, premier Wen revealed, adding that environmental pollution has become a big problem for the country's development.

The premier urged stricter law enforcement, which is the most important and difficult thing in environmental protection.

He demanded authorities at all levels to close down the enterprises causing serious pollution and consumption of large amount of energy.

The polluting enterprises and individuals that have caused major losses to the people and the society should be held liable, according to Wen.

** Harsh punishment for illicit land seizure

China will mete out harsh punishment to those who illicitly seize land from the farmers, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

"The core issue concerning Chinese farmers is the land issue, " he said. "We must give adequate and due compensation to farmers whose land are seized. The land transfer revenue should mainly be paid to farmers."

Wen said China must adopt the strictest arable-land protection system and must protect farmers' right to independent farming on their contracted land.

China's reforms started from the countrysides and the most important policy adopted is the household responsibility system. According to the system, the land belongs to the collective entity in villages, while the right to production and farming belongs to farmers.

Wen said the system is a major feature as well as a major advantage in Chinese countryside. China will guarantee the long-term right to independent farming for the farmers. "This guarantee will remain unchanged for fifteen years, for thirty years, or even forever."

The Chinese government supports the development of Internet and the management of the Internet conforms to international common practice, said Premier Wen.

Being the people's government, it should subject to the democratic supervision from the masses, and listen to the various opinions on the Internet, said Wen.

He noted that the Internet is developing rapidly in China. Up to now, the number of netizens has exceeded 100 million. The Chinese government supports the development and wide application of the Internet.

Only when supervised by people, will the government not be slack in its work; only when every one bears his/her responsibility, will every cause of the country develop smoothly, Wen said.

China's Constitution stipulates that every citizen has the right and freedom of using the Internet, at the same time every citizen should consciously abide by the laws and regulations and safeguard national and social interests, the premier said.

China's management of the Internet is strictly based on law. In the meantime, China calls for self-discipline and self-management of the Internet industry, Wen said.

"Websites should convey correct information, rather than misleading people and bringing negative impact on the social order," he added.

"No more surprise currency appreciation"

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday ruled out possibility for another one-off adjustment of its currency, the yuan, such as last July's 2.1 percent revaluation against the dollar, and said China will allow the yuan to move more flexibly.

"According to the current regime, there is room for the yuan to fluctuate either up or down on its own in line with changes in the market. It's no longer necessary for us to take one-off administrative measures," he said.

The yuan has risen just 0.8 percent since it was revalued by 2.1 percent last July. Before the July 2005 move, the yuan traded at about 8.28 to the dollar. The revaluation took it to 8.11 and it now trades at about 8.05.

"There will be no more surprises," Wen said.

Wen noted that the yuan, also known as the renminbi (RMB), had risen against the dollar even though the US currency itself has been strong. And its gains against the euro and the yen had been even greater.

"Through this reform we have established a new RMB exchange rate regime. We will further strengthen the exchange rate system and we will expand the foreign exchange market and allow more flexibility in the fluctuation of the Chinese currency," he said.

Moreover, in response to a question on China's bank reform, Wen told the press that the nation will continue to hold a majority of stake in the state-owned commercial banks to guard against financial risks as China pushes forward the reform aimed at improving the banks' management level and economic gains.