CPC sets blueprint for next five years
By Sun Shangwu (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-10-12 05:42

The income and living standards of Chinese people will be raised, while the quality of housing, communication, education, culture, public health and the environment will be improved remarkably, the communiqu said.

"The document has a very clear guiding theory: the scientific concept of development," said Cao, referring to the idea introduced by President Hu Jintao two years ago against a background of widening income disparities, deteriorating environment and rapidly-increasing consumption of natural resources.

The concept reflects people-centred ideas and focuses on seeking co-ordinated and sustainable development, according to Cao.

"Pushing economic development and improving people's lives have always been the central task of China," said the communiqu.

The registered urban unemployment rate last year was 4.2 per cent and 9.8 million people found new jobs.

The number of people living in poverty with per capita annual income of less than 668 yuan (US$81) was 26 million last year.

"China is recasting its development model and pursuing high-quality economic growth to improve the environment and create more job opportunities," said Cao.

The plenary meeting also addressed "social fairness" by promising to narrow income gaps between different areas and social groups.

(China Daily 10/12/2005 page1)