Premier Wen admits governance shortcomings

BEIJING: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Friday that some officials are "divorced from reality and the masses," and are "excessively formalistic and bureaucratic."

In his work report to the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's parliament, Wen said some areas are prone to corruption and some officials give too little consideration to carrying out official duties in line with the law.

He said the government's work still "fell considerably short of public expectations."

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He said efforts should be made to create conditions for the people to criticize and oversee the government.

"Let the news media fully play their oversight role," Wen said.

He said the government is to ensure the people live a happier life "with more dignity" and to make our society fairer and more harmonious.

He said efforts should be made to focus on transforming government functions, deepening reform of the administrative system and working hard to make the government devoted to service.