我国房地产行业税收经济问题研究

笑猫日记系列读后感

BEIJING, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on Friday expressed strong indignation and opposition to a European Parliament resolution on Tibet.     "We are strongly indignant with and opposed to the act that intervenes in China's internal affairs, damages China-Europe relations and hurts the Chinese people's feelings," the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee said in a statement.     Regardless of China's repeated stern representation, the European Parliament, stirred up by a few of its members, insisted on approving a resolution on Tibet, which distorts the facts and again encourages the ** Lama's separatist practice, in an attempt to internationalize the Tibet-related issues," said the statement.     Tibet is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory and Tibetan affairs are purely China's domestic affairs, the statement said, adding that any foreign government and organization does not have the right to intervene in China's internal affairs.     The Tibet Autonomous Region has achieved economic development, national unity and social harmony and people there have been living and working in peace since the democratic reforms 50 years ago, the statement said.     Over the past few years, the Chinese central government has carried out a number of contacts and dialogues with patience and sincerity with the ** Lama's representatives.     However, as the ** Lama has not stopped his separatist activities, no substantial progress was made through the dialogues.     ** Lama's Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People, under the veil of claiming autonomy, actually seeks political independence for Tibet and runs against China's Constitution. It will be inevitably opposed by all the Chinese people, the statement said.     The ** Lama claimed that rather than seeking for "Tibet independence ", he only asked for "high degree of autonomy" and "genuine autonomy" and insisted on "nonviolence".     However, ** Lama's so-called "genuine autonomy" aimed to restore his reign in Tibet that integrating religion and state, and establish a supposed "greater Tibet area" which covers nearly a quarter of China's territory. The so-called "greater Tibet area" does not exist in history, nor does it have an actual ground     The claim also asked the Chinese central government to withdraw armies and all the non-Tibetans from the "greater Tibet area". The essence of these claims is advocating "Tibet independence " or meant for "gradual or covert Tibet independence," the statement said.     The ** Lama claimed that he insisted on "nonviolence", but the violent riots in Lhasa staged by the ** Lama's followers on March 14 last year proved that they have never stopped violent activities.     The allegations of the ** Lama were only disguise for his separatist stance and violent criminal activities. They were also packaging to defraud the international society of sympathy and support, the statement said.     "Our disputes with the ** Lama is neither the ethnic issue, nor religious issue, or human rights, but a major principled issue concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, " it said.     The Chinese central government's policy toward the ** Lama is consistent and clear cut, the statement said, adding the door is always open for contacts and talks with him.     The key for positive progresses of contacts and talks rest with whether the ** Lama would give up his wrong stance and separatist behaviors, reexamine his political opinions and make aright choice beneficial to the country, the people, the history and himself.     The statement also said, it is in line with the common interest of China and the Europe to enhance mutual beneficial cooperation on an equal footing.     "A handful European parliament members, who hold prejudice against China, have very readily and repeatedly proposed groundless resolutions on Tibet-related issues," it said.     These resolutions deliberately slandered against China's image, sent wrong signals to the ** Lama's supporters and boost arrogance of the pro-Tibet campaigners.     These European parliament members should be warned sternly to get a clear understanding of the situation and respect the facts. Any conspiracies to interfere in China's internal affairs are doomed to fail, it said.     The NPC values relations with the European parliament and requests the European parliament to proceed from the overall interest of China-EU relations, discard ideological prejudice, adopt a fair and objective stance and do more things that conducive to the healthy development of China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, said the statement.     Also on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu urged the European Parliament to confirm to the public opinions, immediately stop interfering in China's internal affairs using the Tibet-related issue and work with China to maintain the overall situation of China-EU relations.

nturns that a retreat to narrow, short-term protectionism policies would only serve to deepen the global recession and we must not and will not allow that to happen again," said Brown.     Brown said that Britain and China supported the reform of international institutions and the creation of an early-warning system for the global economy.     The two countries would push these and other proposals at the London Summit of G20 nations in April, he added.     Wen arrived in London on Saturday for a three-day official visit. Britain is the last leg of his week-long European tour, which began on Tuesday and has already taken him to Switzerland, Germany, the European Union headquarters in Brussels and Spain.     During the visit, Wen met with people from political, business and financial circles. He also delivered a speech at the University of Cambridge.     The premier is also paying a return visit for Prime Minister Gordon Brown's China tour early last year, as part of a regular high-level meeting mechanism between the two countries.

BEIJING, March 25 (Xinhua) -- China's top discipline supervision official urged state-owned financial institutions to step up anti-graft efforts while actively advancing financial reforms to contribute to the tackling of international financial crisis.     He Guoqiang, secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, made the remarks during his three-day inspection tour, from Monday to Wednesday, to state-owned banks and government financial regulatory bodies. He Guoqiang (1st L), member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, shakes hands with a woman during his inspection of China Anti-Money Laundering Monitoring and Analysis Center in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2009. He Guoqiang inspected banks and financial institutions on March 23-25He, also a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, inspected China Investment Corporation, China Development Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China, China Construction Bank and the China Anti-Money Laundering Monitoring and Analysis Center.     He also listened to work reports from the People's Bank of China as well as banking, securities and insurance regulatory commissions.

青岛激光做痔疮手术效果好吗

BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) -- China Friday called on the international community to "act cautiously" on the Darfur issue as it is afraid rash action could damage peace and stability in Sudan.     "The involved parties should fully respect and listen carefully to the voices of the African Union (AU), the Arab League and African and Arabian countries," Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said in his meeting with visiting Sudanese president's envoy Awad Ahmed al-Jaz in Beijing.     "The international community should further promote the deployment of the UN/AU hybrid operation in Darfur", Xi said.     Xi called on the international community to help advance the political process, to ensure the Doha-mediated dialogue will achieve substantive progress and facilitate the smooth progress ofthe humanitarian aid in the Darfur region.     Under joint mediation of the United Nations (UN) and the AU, as well as the sponsorship of Qatar, the Sudanese government and rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) signed in Doha last month a goodwill agreement to pave the way for resumption of peace negotiations.     During the meeting, Xi also highlighted the growth of relations between China and Sudan since the two forged diplomatic relations 50 years ago. Xi noted China would regard the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to push traditional friendly relations to a higher level.     Echoing Xi's views, al-Jaz said that Sudan expected to continue to cement bilateral friendly cooperation with China in various fields and would firmly support China on the issues of Taiwan and Tibet.     He said the Sudanese government would never recognize the arrest warrant against President al-Bashir but still remained committed to working with the UN and AU and take effective measures to improve the humanitarian situation in Darfur and coordinate with the implementation of the UN/AU hybrid operation in the region.

BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Mitsubishi Motors, one of Japan's major car producers, will recall 9,390 vehicles in China from March 7 for brake system problems, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (GAQSIQ) announced Friday.     The problematic vehicles include 9,108 Outlander EX models produced in the period from Nov. 7, 2007 to Dec. 5, 2008, and 282 Lancer EX vehicles produced from Oct. 3, 2008 to Nov. 20, 2008.     The report said the brake vacuum booster of the cars could fail to function because of inside valve defects, posing a potential danger.     The GAQSIQ said Mitsubishi vehicle owners could have their cars examined and repaired free of charge at the company's service centers across the country.     The Japanese auto-maker recalled 12,985 vehicles last December, including 6,090 Grandis and 6,895 Outlander EX models, imported to China as the brake lights had problems because of a short circuit in the switch.

BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao has urged all officials receiving public grievances to learn from the hard working style of the late Pan Zuoliang (1965-2008).     Pan had worked as director of the Letters and Calls Bureau of Liaozhong County, Liaoning Province, northeast China, until May 9,2008, when he died of a sudden cerebral hemorrhage on duty. Pan Zuoliang (1965-2008) had worked as director of the Letters and Calls Bureau of Liaozhong County, Liaoning Province, northeast China, until May 9,2008, when he died of a sudden cerebral hemorrhage on duty."Build the letters and calls departments into a sector that is first-class regarding their work and satisfactory to the people," said Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, in an instruction to a meeting of officials at the Great Hall of the People, in central Beijing, Friday.     Prior to the gathering, Zhou Yongkang, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, called Pan a model for grassroots Party members and officials. "Pan had always lived among the people and helped the Party and the people to get over difficulties," he said. People send Pan's coffin off spontaneously. Pan Zuoliang (1965-2008) had worked as director of the Letters and Calls Bureau of Liaozhong County, Liaoning Province, northeast China, until May 9,2008, when he died of a sudden cerebral hemorrhage on duty.Zhou urged all officials to "prevent and resolve inharmonious, unstable factors" in the country.     After his death, Pan was made an "Excellent Letters and Calls Official Who Help the Party and the People Resolve Difficulties" and a "National-level Excellent Letters and Calls Official" by the Liaoning Provincial Communist Party Committee and the State Bureau for Letters and Calls.

青岛黄岛肛肠医院排名在那

BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhua) -- China's central bank governor has spoken highly of the government's rapid responses to the current global financial crisis, featuring decisively adopting a proactive fiscal policy and an adaptively easing monetary policy, and launching a bundle of timely, targeted and temporary policies and measures.     The prompt, decisive and effective policy measures adopted by the Chinese government demonstrates "its superior system advantage when it comes to making vital policy decisions," says Zhou Xiaochuan, president of the People's Bank of China (PBC), in an article entitled "Changing Pro-cyclicality for Financial and Economic Stability."     It is Zhou's third article published on the central bank's official website (WWW.PBC.GOV.CN) this week to discuss the issue of the current global financial crisis. His first and second articles, published on Monday and Tuesday, are entitled "Reform the International Monetary System" and "On Savings Ratio," respectively.     In the third article, the 61-year old central bank governor tries to find out the root causes for the current financial crisis, including but not limited to lessons on monetary policy, financial sector regulations, accounting rules.     The top Chinese banker says he wants to stimulate debate and discussions on some of the pro-cyclical features in the system, possible remedial measures, and how monetary and fiscal authorities can play their professional roles at times of severe market distress.     "Financial crises normally originate in the accumulation of bubbles and their subsequent bursts. Usually, economists pay a lot of attentions to pro-cyclicality on the macro level.     However, on the micro level, there are quite a number of notable pro-cyclical features embedded in the market structure today, which should be addressed as we deal with the current crisis and reform the financial system," he says.     Zhou suggests that in the current market structure, more counter-cyclical mechanisms or negative feedback loops on micro-level should be put in place to sustain a more stable financial system.     In the article, he notes that rating problems and herding phenomenon arise from outsourcing.     The global financial system relies heavily on the external credit ratings for investment decisions and risk management, giving rise to a prominent feature of pro-cyclicality, according to the central bank governor.     "Economic upswings produce euphoria and downturns generate pessimism," he says, "Many market players adopting ratings from the three agencies and using them as the yardstick for operations and internal performance assessments clearly result in a massive "herd behavior" at the institutional level."     Zhou points out that some market players seem to have forgotten that the ratings are no more than indicators of default probabilities based on past experiences but were never meant to be guarantees for the future, he says. "Once problems take place, as we have seen during the current crisis, fingers are pointed to the rating agencies," he says.     He suggests that financial institutions should try to rely more on internal rating in assessing risks.     He calls for giving full play to the professional role of authorities in maintaining overall financial stability and establishing a counter-cyclical mechanism for capital requirement     "To stabilize markets under severe stress, finance ministries and central banks need to act fast and apply extraordinary measures," he says, "Untimely or delayed response falls behind the curve and would make the outcome less than desired even if the response is correct and strong."     In modern Western societies, a prolonged political process for mandates to finance ministries or central banks often miss the best timing for action, Zhou says, adding, "We have observed such cases during the current crisis."     He suggests that governments and legislatures may consider giving pre-authorized mandates to ministries of finance and central banks to use extraordinary means to contain systemic risk under well-defined stress scenarios, in order to allow them to act boldly and expeditiously without having to go through a lengthy or even painful approval process.     "Such systematic pre-authorized mandates would put the specialized expertise of finance ministries and central banks to the best use when markets need it the most," he stresses.     The central bank governor attributes China's current success in easing the impacts of the crisis to the country's financial sector reform and ongoing macroeconomic stimulus measures     In 2003, fully aware of the systemic vulnerabilities of China's banking industry, the Chinese government made a courageous and strategic decision to restructure the four state-owned commercial banks, says Zhou, who took over as the PBC governor in late 2002.     In the article, Zhou gives a look back on the reforms of the country's major banks and security industry.     But he warns, "We should bear in mind that despite the notable achievements in banking reform, the major banks have not gone through a full business cycle and still have much to improve. An economic slowdown will be the ultimate stress test for the robustness of the banks' strengths."     According to the bank governor, irrespective of China's sound financial sector, the Chinese economy, especially the export sector, has felt the impact brought by the slowdown of the global economy.     He praises the Chinese government for its plans to stimulate domestic demand and promote stable and relatively rapid economic growth, including the extra investment of 4 trillion yuan (685 billion U.S. dollars) in over two years, the ten measures to revitalize the industrial sectors, and other bolster measures to increase money supply, promote employment, reform taxes and medical and healthcare system.     "Having taken the above-mentioned measures, China expect to maintain stable economic growth by boosting domestic demand and reducing dependence on external demand, thus serving as a stabilizing force in global economy," Zhou says.     In overall, the macroeconomic measures have produced preliminary result and some leading indicators are pointing to recovery of economic growth, indicating that rapid decline in growth has been curbed, he concludes.

BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China will not revise the Labor Contract Law to compromise workers' rights as suggested by some people to help enterprises cope with the global financial turmoil, a legislator said here Monday.     "The labor contract law has nothing to do with the financial crisis and won't be revised for it," said Xin Chunying, deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's legislative body.     "China's labor relations are basically stable and orderly, and it can weather through the test of time," she told a press conference on the sidelines of NPC's annual session, when asked if the law will be changed because increased labor costs have led to rising cases of bankruptcy on the Pearl River Delta.     Citing a survey that tracts figures in the first nine months of the 2008, she said the law has indeed driven up enterprises' labor costs by two percent, but it has also greatly curbed labor relations issues that have been afflicting workers as well as employers for years.     Such chronical issues include the tendency of employers avoid signing long-term contracts with employees, the lack of proper protection of workers' rights, said Xin.     The proportion of workers protected by a written labor contracts in "sizable enterprises" has witnessed a remarkable rise since the labor contract law took effect in January 2008, she said.     "Sizable enterprises" is a statistical term in China that refers to all state enterprises or private firms with an annual turnover of two million yuan if they are manufacturers, or five million yuan if they are in trade.     According to Xinhua, 93 percent of the workers in "sizable enterprises" have signed contracts with their employers, compared to less than 20 percent before the enaction of the new law.     Li Shouzhen, a senior official with the All China Federation of Trade Unions, said at the same press conference that the federation is against the lifting of the minimum wage standard.     The minimum wage standard was a major measure to safeguard workers' rights. "Abolishing the standard will hurt employee's initiative and confidence in tiding over difficulties with enterprises," he said.     "Eying long-term development, the employers should strive to pool wisdom and strength of the employee and optimize company structure," he said.     "Don't have your eyes on the employee's salary alone," he said.     The minimum wage standard in the country varies from city to city, with the southern Shenzhen city reporting the highest standard of 1,000 yuan a month. 

青岛看肛门长了小肉粒的肛肠医院

BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China will not revise the Labor Contract Law to compromise workers' rights as suggested by some people to help enterprises cope with the global financial turmoil, a legislator said here Monday.     "The labor contract law has nothing to do with the financial crisis and won't be revised for it," said Xin Chunying, deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's legislative body.     "China's labor relations are basically stable and orderly, and it can weather through the test of time," she told a press conference on the sidelines of NPC's annual session, when asked if the law will be changed because increased labor costs have led to rising cases of bankruptcy on the Pearl River Delta.     Citing a survey that tracts figures in the first nine months of the 2008, she said the law has indeed driven up enterprises' labor costs by two percent, but it has also greatly curbed labor relations issues that have been afflicting workers as well as employers for years.     Such chronical issues include the tendency of employers avoid signing long-term contracts with employees, the lack of proper protection of workers' rights, said Xin.     The proportion of workers protected by a written labor contracts in "sizable enterprises" has witnessed a remarkable rise since the labor contract law took effect in January 2008, she said.     "Sizable enterprises" is a statistical term in China that refers to all state enterprises or private firms with an annual turnover of two million yuan if they are manufacturers, or five million yuan if they are in trade.     According to Xinhua, 93 percent of the workers in "sizable enterprises" have signed contracts with their employers, compared to less than 20 percent before the enaction of the new law.     Li Shouzhen, a senior official with the All China Federation of Trade Unions, said at the same press conference that the federation is against the lifting of the minimum wage standard.     The minimum wage standard was a major measure to safeguard workers' rights. "Abolishing the standard will hurt employee's initiative and confidence in tiding over difficulties with enterprises," he said.     "Eying long-term development, the employers should strive to pool wisdom and strength of the employee and optimize company structure," he said.     "Don't have your eyes on the employee's salary alone," he said.     The minimum wage standard in the country varies from city to city, with the southern Shenzhen city reporting the highest standard of 1,000 yuan a month. 

BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The following is the full text of the Report on the Work of the Government delivered by Premier Wen Jiabao at the Second Session of the Eleventh National People's Congress on March 5, 2009 and adopted on March 13, 2009:          REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT     Delivered at the Second Session of the Eleventh National People's Congress on March 5, 2009          Wen Jiabao     Premier of the State Council     Fellow Deputies,     On behalf of the State Council, I now present to you my report on the work of the government for your deliberation and approval. I also solicit comments and suggestions on the report from the members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).          I. Review of the Work in 2008     The year 2008 was truly eventful. Our country's economic and social development withstood severe challenges and tests that were rarely seen before. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the people of all our ethnic groups faced difficulties squarely, worked with courage and determination, surmounted all difficulties and obstacles, and made new achievements in reform, opening up and socialist modernization.     - The national economy continued to maintain steady and rapid growth. GDP topped 30 trillion yuan, an increase of 9% over the previous year. Overall price rises were held in check. Government revenue was 6.13 trillion yuan, an increase of 19.5%. Grain output rose for the fifth consecutive year and totaled 528.5 million tons, a record high.     - Reform and opening up were further deepened. New breakthroughs were made in reforms in key areas and crucial links, such as the fiscal, taxation, financial and pricing systems and administration. Imports and exports totaled US$ 2.56 trillion, an increase of 17.8%. Paid-in foreign direct investment reached .4billion.     - Development of social programs was accelerated, and the living standards of the people continued to rise. A total of 11.13million more urban residents entered the workforce. Urban per capita annual disposable income reached 15,781 yuan, an increase of 8.4% in real terms, and rural per capita net income reached 4,761 yuan, up by 8% in real terms.     - Great victories were won in the fight against massive natural disasters. The Beijing Olympics and Paralympics were held successfully, and the Shenzhou VII manned space mission was a complete success.     These achievements signify that we have taken new and solid steps along the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. They have greatly fortified the courage and strength of the people of all our ethnic groups to surmount difficulties and will definitely encourage us to bravely forge ahead on the new historical course.     Last year, we accomplished the following important work:     1. Making timely and resolute adjustments to macroeconomic policies and doing everything possible to maintain steady and rapid economic development     We maintained the right direction, focus, intensity and pace of macro control, and adopted a series of policies and measures to promote steady and rapid economic development. In a complex and volatile situation, we actively responded to the severe impact of the global financial crisis and worked hard to make our macro control more proactive, targeted and effective. In the middle of the year, when energy and grain prices on the international market were high, world economic growth slowed, and exports from and economic growth in China's coastal regions began to decline, we promptly shifted the priority of macro control to maintaining steady and rapid economic development and controlling price hikes, and adopted relevant fiscal, taxation and financial measures. In September, the international economic situation started to deteriorate sharply and its negative impact became increasingly felt in China. We again resolutely shifted the focus of macro control to preventing economic growth from slowing down too quickly. We implemented a proactive fiscal policy and a moderately easy monetary policy. We raised export rebate rates three times, lowered the benchmark interest rates on savings and loans for financial institutions on five occasions, reduced required reserve ratios four times, suspended the individual income tax on interest earnings from savings, reduced securities transaction stamp tax rates, cut taxes and fees on housing transactions, and increased credit support to small and medium-sized enterprises. In accordance with the requirement that we act fast, be forceful, take targeted measures and stress implementation, we promptly introduced ten measures to further boost domestic demand and promote economic growth, and implemented them without delay. We adopted a succession of policies and measures to encourage financial institutions to support economic development, promote sound development of the textile and other light industries and the real estate market, expand consumption by improving distribution, maintain steady growth in foreign trade, and keep the employment situation stable. At the same time, we stepped up efforts to formulate plans for restructuring and revitalizing key industries. Together, these measures have played a crucial role in alleviating serious problems affecting economic performance, enhancing confidence, stabilizing expectations and maintaining steady and rapid economic development.     We continued to strengthen our work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers without any letup. Central government budgetary spending on agriculture, rural areas and farmers was 595.5 billion yuan for the whole year, a year-on-year increase of 163.7 billion yuan or 37.9%. This included 103 billion yuan, twice the figure for the previous year, in direct subsidies to grain producers, general subsidies for agricultural production supplies, and subsidies for superior crop varieties and the purchase of agricultural machinery and tools. We significantly raised minimum grain purchase prices three times, with the total increase exceeding 20%. We implemented a temporary policy for purchasing and stockpiling major agricultural products. We intensified the protection of arable land and the construction of agricultural water conservancy projects, and increased overall agricultural production capacity. We supported the production of hogs, oilseeds and dairy products. These policies and measures played an important role in maintaining and stimulating the enthusiasm of farmers, ensuring the supply of major farm products and increasing rural incomes, and provided strong support for maintaining overall stability in economic and social development.     We unswervingly promoted independent innovation and economic restructuring. We launched 16 major national science and technology projects, and established a number of new national engineering centers, key laboratories and enterprise technology centers in such fields as information technology, biotechnology and environmental protection. We successfully developed a number of key technologies and major equipment in the areas of regional aircraft, automobiles powered by new energy sources and high-speed railways. The central government invested 116.3 billion yuan in science and technology, an increase of 16.4%. Significant steps were taken in reorganization of the telecommunications and civil aviation industries. We continued to eliminate backward production facilities. Last year, we shut down small thermal power plants with a total capacity of 16.69 million kilowatts and closed 1,054 small coalmines. Investment in infrastructure and basic industries was increased, and a number of major projects in energy, transportation and water conservancy were completed or launched. Steady progress was made in implementing the master strategy for regional development, and economic development in different regions became better coordinated.     We steadfastly promoted energy conservation, emissions reduction and ecological and environmental protection. The central government allocated 42.3 billion yuan to support development of ten key energy conservation projects and environmental protection facilities. The daily sewage treatment capacity rose by an additional 11.49 million tons in urban areas, and desulfurization equipment was installed in coal-fired power plants with a total capacity of 97.12 million kilowatts. Energy consumption per unit of GDP fell by 4.59% from the previous year; chemical oxygen demand fell by 4.42%; and sulfur dioxide emissions fell by 5.95%. For the past three years combined, total energy consumption per unit of GDP dropped by 10.08%; chemical oxygen demand dropped by 6.61%; and sulfur dioxide emissions dropped by 8.95%. We built on the achievements in returning farmland to forests and restoring livestock pastures to grasslands, and carried out ecological conservation projects such as protecting virgin forests and developing the Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve in Qinghai Province. We implemented the plan to prevent and control water pollution in major river valleys and regions and issued the white paper China's Policies and Actions for Addressing Climate Change.     2. Balancing economic and social development and strengthening all aspects of social development with the focus on improving people's lives     Efforts were intensified to increase employment and improve the social safety net. We improved our policy to stimulate and expand employment by encouraging business startups, and enforced the minimum wage system. The coverage of all social security schemes continued to expand, with 17.53 million more urban workers subscribing to basic old-age insurance, 20.28 million more subscribing to basic medical insurance, and the unemployment, workers' compensation and maternity insurance steadily expanding to cover more workers. Pensions of enterprise retirees rose by 110 yuan per month per person. We launched trials to reform the basic old-age insurance system for employees of government-affiliated institutions. We actively explored ways to establish a new system of old-age insurance for rural residents and made steady progress in making social security available to rural migrant workers in urban areas and farmers whose land has been expropriated. We comprehensively improved the system of cost of living allowances for both urban and rural residents, and provided allowances to 66.19 million residents. We raised living allowances for low-income groups and university students in a timely fashion. Preferential treatment enjoyed by key entitled groups was increased substantially. We intensified efforts to develop low-income housing and renovate shantytowns, thus alleviating some of the housing difficulties of the low-income population. An additional of more than 48 million rural people gained access to safe drinking water.     Further progress was made in promoting fair education for all. Free compulsory education became available to all students, urban or rural, throughout the country, and all rural students receiving compulsory education obtained free textbooks. The standards for repairing and renovating school buildings in the central and western regions were raised, and the government allocated 3.25 billion yuan to provide heating to rural primary and secondary schools in the north. Development of vocational education was accelerated. The national financial aid system for students was further improved. The central government spent 22.3 billion yuan and local governments increased funding as well to assist more than 20 million students. Grants of 1,500 yuan per student per annum were given to secondary vocational school students from rural areas or needy urban families, benefiting 90% of the current student population in these vocational schools.     Steady progress was made in reform and development of the pharmaceutical and health care system. A total of 814 million people, accounting for 91.5% of the rural population, now benefit from the new type of rural cooperative medical care system. The number of selected cities participating in trials of the basic medical insurance system for urban residents increased from 88 to 317, and the number of participating individuals increased by 73.59 million to 117 million. Significant progress was made in developing a system of community-based health services in urban areas. We continued to expand the coverage of the reward and assistance system for rural families complying with family planning regulations, and implemented the "lower birthrate equals faster prosperity" program in more places in the countryside.     We accelerated the development of culture and sports. Public cultural infrastructure facilities were improved, the cultural industries developed rapidly, and reform of the cultural management system was constantly deepened. We mobilized all resources and hosted a distinctive and high-level Beijing Olympicsand Paralympics, thus fulfilling the century-old dream of the Chinese nation, and Chinese athletes competed hard and brave and scored excellent achievements in the Games. This greatly aroused the patriotism of all our people and strengthened the cohesiveness of our nation.     We continued to strengthen democracy and the legal system. The system of local-level democracy was further improved. Significant progress was made in enhancing law-based government. Last year, the State Council submitted eight bills, including a draft of the Social Insurance Law and draft amendments to the Law on Protecting Against and Mitigating Earthquake Disasters, to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for deliberation. It also formulated or revised 30 administrative laws and regulations. The Regulations on Making Government Information Public was fully implemented. The public security system for crime prevention and control was strengthened. We battled against secessionist and terrorist activities, protected China's national security and maintained social stability. Our work related to ethnic minority, religious and overseas Chinese affairs further improved.     3. Vigorously advancing reform and opening up and injecting fresh vitality and impetus into economic and social development     Institutional restructuring of the State Council was basically completed and that of local governments is progressing steadily. Comprehensive rural reforms continued to deepen, and reform of collective forest rights was instituted throughout the country. SOE reform was deepened. The transformation of the Agricultural Bank of China and China Development Bank into joint stock companies proceeded smoothly. The new Law on Corporate Income Tax went into effect, and real estate taxes were unified for domestic and overseas-funded enterprises and Chinese and foreign individuals. After years of deliberation, reform in pricing, taxes and fees for refined petroleum products was smoothly introduced. Aplan for reform of the pharmaceutical and health care system was devised and referred to the general public for comments. These innovations in systems and mechanisms have laid a solid foundation for our long-term development.     The country opened wider to the outside world. We vigorously implemented the strategy of competing on quality and diversifying export markets. We increased efforts to establish innovation bases to invigorate trade through science and technology and bases for providing services outsourced from other countries. We supported the export of products with Chinese trademarks and intellectual property rights. We improved the policy system for the processing trade. We steadily opened service industries wider to the outside world and provided more guidance to orient foreign investment in China. We integrated existing funds and set up new ones designed to promote external economic and technological cooperation. We promulgated regulations on managing overseas contracted projects and rectified the system of administration of cooperative overseas labor services. We actively promoted energy and resources cooperation overseas, further expanded our assistances to other countries, and the pace of enterprises going global was accelerated. Further progress was made in the development of free trade zones, and in our economic dialogues with major trading partners and mutually beneficial cooperation with other developing countries.          Fellow Deputies,     A massive earthquake that shocked the world struck Wenchuan on May 12. Under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, people of all ethnic groups in China, especially in the quake zone, worked as one and fought in unison against the earthquake disaster. The people's army rushed to the frontlines without thinking of their own safety. We launched an earthquake rescue and relief operation that accomplished its work faster, mobilized more personnel and committed more resources than ever before in China's history. We steadfastly gave top priority to saving people's lives. We pulled 84,000 survivors out of the rubble. We promptly repaired damaged infrastructure, and resolutely unblocked the Mount Tangjia quake lake to avert potential secondary disasters. We did our utmost to prevent an epidemic from occurring and ensured that there was no major outbreak of diseases after the deadly earthquake. The central government allocated 38.4 billion yuan for quake relief and 74 billion yuan for post-earthquake recovery and reconstruction. We promptly introduced a host of policies and measures to support the quake zone. We energetically organized one-to-one assistance to designated areas affected by the earthquake. People from all sectors of society in China made generous donations, both in cash and in kind; our compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan as well as overseas Chinese contributed generously to the disaster relief campaign; and the international community provided us with earthquake rescue and relief assistance. All this combined to forma boundless source of strength for the Chinese people to overcome the disaster. This hard struggle against the earthquake produced uncountable touching and brave exploits and fully demonstrated the great indomitable and unyielding spirit of the Chinese people, thus writing a heroic chapter in the history of the nation.     None of the achievements we made last year came easily. They were the result of overall planning and correct leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Hu Jintao as General Secretary, as well as the concerted and strenuous efforts of the whole Party, the entire army and the people of all our ethnic groups. On behalf of the State Council, I hereby express our sincere gratitude to the people of all our ethnic groups and to the democratic parties, mass organizations and people from all sectors of society. I also express our sincere thanks to compatriots in the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions and Taiwan and to overseas Chinese, as well as to foreign governments, international organizations and friends in other countries that take an interest in and support China's modernization drive.     While acknowledging our achievements, we must be clearly aware that we face unprecedented difficulties and challenges.     First, the global financial crisis continues to spread and get worse. Demand continues to shrink on international markets; the trend toward global deflation is obvious; and trade protectionism is resurging. The external economic environment has become more serious, and uncertainties have increased significantly.     Second, continuous drop in economic growth rate due to the impact of the global financial crisis has become a major problem affecting the overall situation. This has resulted in excess production capacity in some industries, caused some enterprises to experience operating difficulties and exerted severe pressure on employment. Factors leading to decline in government revenues and increase in government expenditures have increased. It has become more difficult to maintain steady agricultural development and keep rural incomes growing.     Third, institutional and structural problems that have long hindered healthy economic development still remain, and some of them are still prominent. Consumption demand is insufficient, and development of tertiary industries is sluggish. Our capacity for independent innovation is weak. Consumption of energy and other resources is high. Environmental pollution is serious. Disparities in development between urban and rural areas and between regions are widening.     Fourth, some problems affecting the vital interests of the people have not been fundamentally alleviated. There are still many problems demanding urgent solution in the areas of social security, education, health care, income distribution and public security.     Fifth, order in the market is not well standardized; market oversight and law enforcement are not fully in place, and the social credit rating system is still in need of improvement. A number of serious and major incidents concerning food and workplace safety have occurred, which have inflicted serious loss of life and property on the people and taught us a sobering lesson.     We need to thoroughly appreciate how serious and complex the international and domestic economic situations are, be more mindful of potential perils and crises, fully exploit favorable conditions and actively respond to all challenges so that we can successfully accomplish all our tasks and prove worthy of the great expectations and trust conferred on us by the people.