Premier Wen Jiabao's government work report (summary) (Part Three)

Four points of reform and development of public health system

According to Wen, the government will focus on four key points as it accelerates the reform and development of public health and develops a basic health care system for both urban and rural residents:

Firstly, it will promote a new rural cooperative medical system. China will expand the scope of the pilot project to more than 80% of counties (cities and districts) in 2007 and allocate 10.1 billion yuan for subsidies, an increase of 5.8 billion yuan over last year.

Secondly, it will accelerate the construction of a new community-based urban health service system. The central government will give appropriate support to central and western regions.

Thirdly, it will pilot a basic medical insurance system for urban residents to assist those with major diseases. The government will give the necessary assistance to people who have difficulty paying for medical care.

Fourthly, it will work hard to both treat and prevent the spread of highly infectious diseases. China will include 15 infectious diseases such as hepatitis and meningitis on the national immunization plan and provide free treatment to people carrying infectious diseases and viruses such as schistosomiasis and HIV. The central government will increase special-purpose investment by 2.8 billion yuan in 2007.

Improving employment and social security

Wen Jiabao stressed the importance of expanding employment opportunities as part of economic and social development, so as to improve the overall employment situation and social security.

According to Wen, the government should pay attention to the re-employment of laid-off workers and those left unemployed after an enterprise bankruptcy. Efforts should be made to help ”°zero employment families”± and others that have difficultly finding jobs. Better services and guidance should be made available for college graduates, and the resettlement of ex-servicemen should be promoted.

We should do more to build a social security system, Wen added. This year the central government's social security budget will reach 201.9 billion yuan, an increase of 24.7 billion yuan over 2006. China will continue to improve the basic endowment insurance system for state-owned enterprise employees and perfect a basic medical insurance scheme for urban workers, the unemployed, the injured and pregnant women. It will also work on promoting work injury insurance and insurance for major diseases for migrant workers.

Efforts should be made to further develop the urban and rural social aid system, improve the subsistence guarantee for urban residents, urban and rural medical aid system, and aid system for urban vagrants and beggars with no means of livelihood. China will establish a nationwide system to ensure a minimum standard of living for rural residents in 2007.

Curbing major extravagances in some executive branches

Wen pointed out that for the time being, China needs to focus on transforming government functions, regulating administrative powers, adjusting and perfecting the organizational structure and dividing the responsibilities of government, improving government management and services, promoting the openness of government affairs, accelerating the construction of e-government and official websites, improving the standards of civil servants, promoting administrative efficiency, and improving the government's policy-implementing capacity and credibility.

Wen stressed that an important task is to solve the problem of serious extravagance and waste in some executive branches.

According to Wen, at present, many departments and units live a life of extravagance and luxury. They squander and spend money like water. Such unhealthy practices must be stopped. China should strictly control the construction and extension of administrative offices, prohibit the construction of luxury office buildings and large halls, regulate official receptions, plug loopholes in management, and endeavor to reduce administrative costs and promote an energy-saving government.

Maintaining and developing prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao

The Chinese government will work with the people of Hong Kong and Macao and endeavor to maintain and develop the prosperity and stability of the regions, Wen said.

China will remain dedicated to implementing the policies of ”°one country, two systems”±, ”°the people of Hong Kong governing Hong Kong”±, ”°the people of Macao governing Macao”±. They will be given a high degree of autonomy, strictly in accordance with the Basic Law of Special Administrative Regions. The government will give full support to the chief executives and governments of Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions in managing the region in accordance with the law, developing regional economy, improving local people's livelihood, and promoting harmony, Wen indicated. The mainland will increase exchange and strengthen cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao in economics, trade, science, education, culture, public health, sports and other areas.

Resolutely opposing separatist activities seeking ”°de jure Taiwan independence"

Premier Wen emphasized that China adheres to the principle of a ”°peaceful reunification”± and ”°one country, two systems”±, and promotes cross-strait relations and implement policies for a peaceful reunification in the changing situation. The country endeavors to unite its Taiwanese compatriots and firmly opposes any form of separatist activities seeking ”°de jure independence”±.

We should promote the idea of peace and development in cross-strait relations, actively expand cross-strait exchanges and cooperation, promote the ”°three direct links”±, and make every effort to ensure compatriots on both sides seek peace, development and well-being with the greatest sincerity, Wen added. China will stick to the One China principle, advocate the development of cross-strait relations through strengthening dialogue and exchange with all political parties in Taiwan, strive for an early resumption of cross-strait dialogue and negotiations, and do everything possible to take the development of cross-strait relations in the direction of peace and stability.

Doing everything possible to build a harmonious world

China is willing to work with the people of all countries to build a peaceful, prosperous and harmonious world, Wen said.

China's call to building a harmonious world is consistent with world trends and the interests and aspirations of all peoples. It also reflects the firm commitment of the Chinese government and people to world peace. Building a harmonious world means ensuring democracy and equality in politics, cooperation in economy, promoting cultural exchanges, and working together to deal with traditional and non-traditional global security challenges, so as to realize a long-lasting world peace and common prosperity.

We should do everything possible to promote external exchange and cooperation in economics and trade, science and technology, culture, education, sports and other areas, strengthen understanding and develop friendships between the peoples of the world, establish a peaceful, democratic, civilized, progressive image of China, safeguard the rights and interests of Chinese citizens and legal persons abroad, and, respect and protect the legitimate rights and interests of overseas nationals in China, Wen added.

By People's Daily Online