China to press on with reforms: Premier Wen
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-03-14 18:34

China must press on with its historic reform agenda of the past two decades despite growing economic, social and environmental problems, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao gestures during his annual press conference following the close of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Wen said that China must press on with its historic reform agenda of the past two decades despite growing economic, social and environmental problems. [AFP]

"We need to consistently and unswervingly press ahead with reform and opening up," Wen told a press conference following the end of the nation's annual parliamentary session.

"We need to continue to adhere to the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Although there will be difficulties in the way ahead, we cannot stop. Back-pedaling is not a way out."

The economic and social reforms introduced by then-leader Deng Xiaoping in the early 1980s have transformed China, with its economy now the fourth biggest in the world.

Wen admitted that his government had in recent years not adequately addressed issues that affected ordinary people's livelihoods.

"The problems I find most heart-breaking during my past three years' work are that I haven't been able to better solve the problems that Chinese people are most concerned about like health, education, housing and security," he said.