Report on the Work of the Government (full text)
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-03-15 10:42

Paying close attention to conservation and rational use of energy and resources. Efforts to alleviate the problem of tight supplies of energy and resources needed for economic and social development must start at home by utilizing energy and resources much more efficiently. First, we will resolutely adhere to the policy of simultaneously developing and conserving energy and resources, giving priority to conservation. We will encourage the development and application of new technologies that use less energy and resources, and institute a system requiring the elimination of equipment and products that consume excessive quantities of energy and materials. Second, we will promptly draw up standards and targets for reducing energy and resource consumption in every industry, along with policies and measures for meeting the targets. This work will be focused on saving energy, water and materials in key industries. We will encourage development of energy-efficient, environment-friendly automobiles, and housing and public buildings that use less energy and land. Third, we will energetically develop the recycling sector of the economy. We will increase the comprehensive utilization of resources and the recycling of resources by addressing problems concerning their exploitation, their use in production and in society, and the utilization of waste materials. We will also work vigorously to develop new and renewable energy resources. Fourth, management of the exploitation of mineral resources will be strengthened. We will rectify and standardize the order in their exploitation. We will improve the compensation mechanisms for the exploitation and utilization of mineral resources and for restoration of the natural environment. Fifth, we will energetically promote production and consumption practices that use less energy and resources, increase public awareness of the importance of conservation, and accelerate the development of a conservation-minded society.

Strengthening environmental protection and ecological improvement. We must promptly solve environmental pollution problems that seriously affect the health of the people. Focusing on prevention and control of water pollution, we will intensify efforts to clean up industrial and urban pollution and rural nonpoint pollution and to protect potable water sources. We will implement a system for strictly controlling the total amount of pollutants discharged and increase monitoring and law enforcement relating to environmental protection. We will energetically promote clean production and develop environment-friendly industries. We will continue our good work of protecting natural forests and improving grasslands and make greater efforts to bring sources of sandstorms and factors causing soil erosion under control. Our objective for this work is to ensure that people have clean water, fresh air and a better environment in which to live and work.

4. Promoting balanced development among different regions. Taking the overall interests of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and accelerating the modernization drive as our starting point, we formulated the general strategic plan to develop the western region, reinvigorate Northeast China and other old industrial bases, energize the central region and encourage faster development of the eastern region. The plan is designed to implement a regional development strategy that accommodates regional differences, exploits comparative advantages and gives each its proper emphasis while maintaining close coordination. The plan meets the need for overall balanced development while making maximum use of each region's initiative and promoting interaction between the eastern, central and western regions so that they can complement and help each other and develop together.

We need to carefully review the experience accumulated over the last five years in implementing the strategy for developing the western region. The state will further increase support for the region through policies and measures, funding, deployment of industries and development of human resources. We will continue to strengthen infrastructure development and ecological conservation. We will carefully carry out the work of returning farmland to forests and returning grazing lands to grasslands. We will energetically exploit the western region's competitive resources, develop its distinctive industries and strengthen its processing capability. Development in key areas and zones will be accelerated. We will vigorously open the western region wider to the rest of the country and the rest of the world. Economic and technological cooperation with neighboring countries and regions will be energetically expanded. We will promptly set up permanent, stable channels to fund development of the western region.

We will fully implement the policies and measures of the Central Committee and the State Council for reinvigorating Northeast China and other old industrial bases. We will vigorously develop modern agriculture and intensify development of state commercial grain bases. We will accelerate the work of adjusting and upgrading the industrial structure and reorganizing and upgrading key enterprises. We will establish a mechanism for aiding declining industries in cities with resource-based economies in order to promote a shift away from dependence on resources. We will conscientiously carry out pilot projects to reform VAT and trials to expand the urban social security system. Northeast China and other old industrial bases should take a new road to reinvigoration by relying mainly on innovations in systems and mechanisms while accelerating reform and opening wider to the outside world.

We will promptly work out plans and measures to energize the central region. Full advantage should be taken of the region's geographic location and overall economic strengths to develop modern agriculture, particularly in the main grain-producing areas, improve the overall transportation system, build more bases for producing energy and important raw materials, and accelerate the development of competitive manufacturing and new and high technology industries. We will open up the central region's large market to greatly stimulate the flow of goods. The state will support this work through policy, funding and the deployment of major development projects.