Chinese vice-premier demands improved economic research, macro-management

BEIJING - Chinese Vice-Premier Han Zheng Tuesday said the country's top economic planner should strengthen research and macro-management to ensure steady growth and sustained development.

Han, also member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection at the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

He praised the commission for playing a significant role in devising new macro-management methods, pushing for supply-side structural reform and innovation, coordinating regional development, and improving people's livelihood in the past five years.

The NDRC should strengthen its macro-management function and adjust its micro-management role in line with the government institutional reform, Han said.

It must "properly understand and actively carry forward the function adjustment, and serve the interests of the whole," the vice-premier said.

As part of a massive cabinet restructuring plan unveiled last month, the NDRC saw some of its functions and duties, including in the areas of environment, agriculture, and pricing, handed over to new government organs.

Han urged the NDRC to better study strategies concerning long-term national development, coordinate cross-department and cross-industry policies, monitor and analyze economic trends, and push for the implementation of large-scale projects across regions.

In light of a complicated and volatile environment at home and abroad, the NDRC should strengthen research and judgment in advance and bring forward pertinent and viable suggestions on maintaining steady economic growth, winning the "three tough battles" and improving people's wellbeing, Han said.