China to further rectify economic order - Premier Wen

04/16/2003
Xinhua

China will further rectify and standardize market economic order this year to ensure the sustained, rapid and healthy growth of the national economy, according to a national conference held in Beijing on April 14 and 15.

Speaking at the conference, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called on all departments and localities to continue their efforts to rectify and standardize the market economic order with a strong sense of mission and responsibility and through their own initiative.

He said that, with respect to the resolution of the outstanding issues in the current economic order, the fundamental approaches are deepening reform, improving the legal framework and fostering a social environment that values integrity and merit.

According to the conference, China has made much headway in rectifying the market economic order in recent years, as indicated by its specialized crackdowns on illegal and criminal activities, its detection of many major cases and its punishment of criminals.

However, the fruits of these efforts are merely preliminary, and a myriad of disruptive activities still needs to be tackled.

Tasks for the next five years include improving a basic legal framework for the rectification, enhancing law-enforcement and administration in accordance with the law, establishing a basic framework and operational mechanism for the social credit system, according to the conference.

Based on successful past experiences, the country will continue to launch specialized crackdowns on illegal activities in 2003, including fraudulent and poor-quality foodstuffs, pharmaceutical and capital goods for agriculture.

Among other major tasks for this year, the country will fight smuggling, tax evasion and illegal pyramid schemes. The government will also promote education based on integrity and vocational ethics for the whole society, establish a social merit system, improve the legal framework and promote modern logistics.

A number of leading government officials, including Vice Premier Wu Yi and heads of ministries and regional governments, attended the meeting.