The Hindu : International : China for foreign policy of peace: Premier

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 06, 2005

International

International

China for foreign policy of peace: Premier

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE, MARCH 5. The Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao, today lowered sights on an eight per cent economic growth in fiscal 2005 and reaffirmed adherence to a foreign policy of peace.

Presenting the Government's `work report,' at the opening of the third annual session of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC), China's Parliament, in Beijing, Mr. Wen turned the spotlight on issues related to what is widely regarded as the fastest-growing national economy in the world.

Emphasising Beijing's position on the reunification of Taiwan with the Chinese mainland and placing its foreign policy in the context of the principle of China's peaceful ascendance on the global stage, Mr. Wen addressed concerns about the over-heating of the domestic economy.

Growth target

Setting out eight per cent as the target for an increase in the Gross Domestic Product this year, compared to the high of 9.5 per cent registered in fiscal 2004, Mr. Wen said, ``Neither a big `up' nor `down' in the economy is conducive to economic growth, reform and opening-up drive and social stability.'' He characterised this as a ``fast and stable track'' and said the Government would regard efforts to stay this course as a ``key job.''

Calling for a scientific outlook to ensure development with social progress, he opted for a conscious shift in the Government's economic philosophy from ``growth-centred to people-centred'' policies. Amid cheers, he announced the abolition of the agro-tax across the country by 2006, two years ahead of the deadline he himself had set during last year's NPC session.

While this was announced in the context of the growth rate being 6.8 per cent for the rural people as against 7.7 per cent for the city residents, Mr. Wen reaffirmed adherence to a fiscal policy swing from being ``proactive'' to ``prudent.'' The fiscal deficit for 2005 was set at $ 36.2 billion.

Mr. Wen, addressing the international community, said the Chinese currency would be kept ``basically stable'' without any need to revalue it in 2005, in the overall context of a market-related ``socialism with Chinese characteristics.''

Troop cut

Maintaining that the Chinese People's Liberation Army would be pruned by about 200,000 personnel by the end of this year, he promised a qualitative improvement of the armed forces . The 10-day NPC session, being attended by nearly 3,000 members, is expected to pass an anti-secession law, which is of prime relevance to the Taiwan issue. On the margins of the session, international observers expect China to make a pronouncement on the political future of Hong Kong's controversial Chief Executive, Tung Chee Hwa.

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