Parliament opens, push for more reforms
March 5, 2013, 8:34 am

Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping (left) will become China’s next president, replacing Hu Jintao (right) [Xinhua]

Outgoing Chinese premier Wen Jiabao urged unification of the country to achieve what he called “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”.

Jiabao was delivering his last work report on Tuesday morning in the Great Hall of Beijing as China’s parliament opened to elect a new leadership team.

“Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee with comrade Xi Jinping as general secretary, let us unite as one and work hard to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” said Wen.

The government report set the country’s economic growth target for this year at 7.5 per cent and to lower inflation to 3.5 per cent.

Wen spoke at length about the danger of serious air and water pollution that has engulfed China, “We should adhere to the basic state policy of conserving resources and protecting the environment and endeavour to promote green, circular, and low-carbon development,” he said.

Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping will become China’s next president, replacing Hu Jintao.

Wen warned that the global financial crisis persists, and the recovery of the world economy is still uncertain.

China will target a foreign trade volume increase by around 8 per cent in 2013, according to the report.

China replaced the US as being the largest trading partner of most nations in the world.

He also underlined unsustainable development as well as increasing conflict between economic growth and environment as one of the key challenges facing China.

Premier Wen Jiabao delivered a government work report at the opening meeting, chaired by Zhang Dejiang, executive chairperson of the session’s presidium.

Source: Agencies