The report on the government's work of the past year won applause from deputies attending the Second Session of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC), which began in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Friday morning

At the opening ceremony, Premier Wen Jiabao delivered his first government report since he took office last March. Following the usual practice, he used many facts and figures to review the work of the government in 2003, including both achievements and existing problems, and suggested principal domestic tasks for 2004.

NPC deputies from all sectors felt great changes under the new leadership in 2003, such as the increased transparency of government affairs, the improved public health system and the extended rights of individuals.

Wang Lequan, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Party secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Committee, hailed the central government's determination to solve existing problems in rural areas.

The central government has decided to rescind the agricultural tax within the next five years. “Beginning this year, the agricultural tax rate will be reduced by more than one percentage point per year on average,” the government report says.

“The elimination of the agricultural tax means that government will lose about 100 billion yuan (US$12.1 billion) each year. It is not easy for a country like China, where there are 900 million farmers,” Wang noted.

He added that the decision, which will increase farmers' income and boost the development of agriculture as well as rural areas, shows the government's concern about this segment of the population.

Grain production is another area of concern for Wang. In Xinjiang, the output of wheat, the staple food for local people, was only 1 billion kilograms, while consumption in recent years has exceeded 1.3 billion kilograms. He said that adequate grain production is also an important part of national security, as was indicated in the government reports.

Ismail Tiliwaldi, chairman of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, expressed his appreciation for the central government's efforts to reduce losses caused by natural disasters. On February 24, 2003, an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck Bachu County, killing 268 and destroying more than 1,000 buildings.

He reported that a total of 580 million yuan (US$70.1 million) from the central government, as well as donations from Xinjiang and other provinces, was allocated to rebuilding the area.

“The reconstruction is almost finished now. New houses, schools and hospitals were built to accommodate victims,” said the governor.

Premier Wen Jiabao flew to Xinjiang to inspect rescue and rebuilding work when he was elected to office last March.

“The earthquake was bad news at that time, but the solidification of all groups in Xinjiang has been further enhanced since then,” Tiliwaldi said.

He also praised the government's efforts concerning compulsory education.

“With the support of the central government, the compulsory education system was implemented effectively in more than 50 counties in south Xinjiang, benefiting 2 million people,” he said.

Shohrat Zakir, mayor of Urumqi, said that the central government has showed its determination to serve the people.

“We thought that the SARS outbreak might influence our economic growth. However, our GDP growth last year reached 9.1 percent, far exceeding expectations. The achievement is closely connected with the central government's immediate measures to curb the spread of SARS,” he declared.

Zakir was also pleased with the many new regulations implemented last year concerning such areas as social security, public health and education.

“The year 2003 was most beneficial for the common people,” Zakir concluded.

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Tang Fuchun March 9, 2004)