Chinese Premier calls for further reforms, opening up to tackle crisis

Vice Premier Li Keqiang told NPC deputies from the southwestern border province of Yunnan that economic development and people's welfare concerns social stability.

Zhou Yongkang (C), member of the Standing Committee of the  Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC)  Central Committee, joins a panel discussion with deputies  to the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress  (NPC) from northwest China's Qinghai Province, in Beijing,  capital of China, March 10, 2009.(Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

He urged local governments to spare no efforts in creating jobs, and improving low-income housing, rural infrastructure and ecological protection.

When joining discussions with lawmakers from the southmost province of Hainan, He Guoqiang, secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said the tropical island should give priority to planning and environmental protection in pursuing its goal of becoming a major international tourist destination.

Zhou Yongkang, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, underscored ecological protection, ethnic unity and social harmony when discussing with NPC deputies from the northwestern Qinghai Province.

Qinghai must be more aggressive in developing environmentally-friendly industries, increase the revenues of farmers and herdsmen and improve education in ethnic minority areas, said Zhou.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei