CHINA / National

Wen: Chen's move 'dangerous and deceptive'
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-03-14 10:24


The development of the Sino-Japanese relations should follow the spirit and principle of "taking history as a mirror and looking forward to the future" and the three political documents.

Wen called for the two countries to continue strategic dialogue between the governments so as to remove obstacles affecting the bilateral relations.

"We should also strengthen people-to-people exchanges and enhance mutual understanding and trust," Wen said.


Foreign and domestic journalists attend Premier Wen Jiabao's press conference after the conclusion of the annual session of the National People's Congress in Beijing, March 14, 2006. The annual meeting of the nation's top lawmaking body closed Tuesday at the Great Hall of the People. [Xinhua]


Wen also urged to stabilize and develop Sino-Japanese trade and economic ties, in a bid to expanding "mutual beneficial cooperation for win-win results."

Premier Wen's press conference was telecast live in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday morning.

** Heavy polluters face punishment

China failed to meet the environmental objective in the 10th five-year plan while most of the objectives have been achieved, premier Wen revealed, adding that environmental pollution has become a big problem for the country's development.

The premier urged stricter law enforcement, which is the most important and difficult thing in environmental protection.

He demanded authorities at all levels to close down the enterprises causing serious pollution and consumption of large amount of energy.

The polluting enterprises and individuals that have caused major losses to the people and the society should be held liable, according to Wen.

** Harsh punishment for illicit land seizure

China will mete out harsh punishment to those who illicitly seize land from the farmers, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

"The core issue concerning Chinese farmers is the land issue, " he said. "We must give adequate and due compensation to farmers whose land are seized. The land transfer revenue should mainly be paid to farmers."

Wen said China must adopt the strictest arable-land protection system and must protect farmers' right to independent farming on their contracted land.

China's reforms started from the countrysides and the most important policy adopted is the household responsibility system. According to the system, the land belongs to the collective entity in villages, while the right to production and farming belongs to farmers.

Wen said the system is a major feature as well as a major advantage in Chinese countryside. China will guarantee the long-term right to independent farming for the farmers. "This guarantee will remain unchanged for fifteen years, for thirty years, or even forever."

** China pursues self-defense policy

China pursues a national defense policy of self-defense, and its limited increase of military expenditure is mainly used to improve the living conditions of officers and to improve self-defense capability, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

The country's defense policy is transparent, said Wen, adding that China has never dispatched even one soldier abroad except its peacekeepers, and has not occupied an inch of foreign land.

** Management of Internet conforms to world practice

The Chinese government supports the development of Internet and the management of the Internet conforms to international common practice, said Premier Wen.

Being the people's government, it should subject to the democratic supervision from the masses, and listen to the various opinions on the Internet, said Wen.

He noted that the Internet is developing rapidly in China. Up to now, the number of netizens has exceeded 100 million. The Chinese government supports the development and wide application of the Internet.

Only when supervised by people, will the government not be slack in its work; only when every one bears his/her responsibility, will every cause of the country develop smoothly, Wen said.

China's Constitution stipulates that every citizen has the right and freedom of using the Internet, at the same time every citizen should consciously abide by the laws and regulations and safeguard national and social interests, the premier said.

China's management of the Internet is strictly based on law. In the meantime, China calls for self-discipline and self-management of the Internet industry, Wen said.

"Websites should convey correct information, rather than misleading people and bringing negative impact on the social order," he added.

"No more surprise currency appreciation"

The Chinese premier ruled out any further surprise appreciation of the Chinese currency in the future, adding that it is no longer necessary for the government to take any administrative means to control the renminbi exchange rate.

"We will further improve the renminbi exchange regime, expand foreign exchange market and improve its flexibility," said premier Wen.

Under the current regime, the renminbi has the capability to go upwards and downwards according to the fluctuation of market conditions, Wen noted.

Moreover, the nation will continue to hold a majority of stake in the state-owned commercial banks to guard against financial risks as China pushes forward the reform aimed at improving the banks' management level and economic gains, according to the premier.

In July last year, China conducted a reform on the exchange regime of RMB, revaluing it and pegging it to a basket of currencies instead of the US dollar alone. Since then, the yuan has appreciated nearly three percent over the US dollar, according to the Chinese premier.


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