Reform social security: Expert

Premier Wen Jiabao is "very likely" to ask legislators to review his cabinet's proposal to significantly boost social security spending at the annual session of the National People's Congress this week, said a think tank researcher close to China's highest decision-making body.

"My understanding is the leadership has achieved a consensus that to greatly improve social welfare is a long-term strategy to help reduce the impact of the global financial crisis," said Bi Jiyao, senior researcher for the National Development and Reform Commission, a cabinet department for designing and implementing economic and social policies.

"This is a big strategy along with our bold stimulus plans to boost domestic investment," said Bi, who revealed the consensus during an exclusive interview after he was invited to give a lecture on the global economic environment to the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau on Feb 23.