Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao answers questions on a press conference after the closing ceremony of the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2008. The annual NPC session closed on Tuesday.(Xinhua Photo)

　　Premier: Lhasa riot aimed to undermine Beijing Olympics

　　BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here on Tuesday that the recent Lhasa riot was aimed to undermine the upcoming Beijing Olympics.

　　The force behind the riot tries "to serve their hidden agenda by inciting such incident," Wen made the remarks at a press conference held following the conclusion of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature. Full Story

　　Chinese Premier: Mainland to expand business ties and trade with Taiwan

　　BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland will expand the range and scope of business ties and trade with Taiwan, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao here Tuesday.

　　"We will continue to increase exchanges in economic and trade fields with Taiwan, particularly we want to resume the three direct links between the two sides as quickly as possible," said Wen. Full Story

　　Premier: China to consider organizing foreign journalists to Lhasa

　　BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China will consider the possibility of organizing foreign media to Lhasa and see on the ground what happened there, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here Tuesday at a press conference upon the conclusion of the annual session of China's top legislature. Full Story

　　Premier: China to press ahead with public finance reform

　　BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Tuesday that he was resolved to press ahead with public finance reform in his five-year tenure so that the people's money could be better spent to serve the people's needs.

　　Wen said that the reform "rarely talked about in the past" could help readjust economic structure, optimize economic development pattern, improve people's livelihood as well as ecology and environment. Full Story

　　Premier: China to ratify UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights at early date

　　BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China will ratify UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights at an early date, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told reporters here Tuesday at a press conference following the annual full session of China's top legislature. Full Story

　　Premier: China aims to have another 50 million people employed in 5 years

　　BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China aims to have another 50 million people employed in the coming five years, Premier Wen Jiabao said here on Tuesday.

　　"China is a developing country with a population of 1.3 billion, which demands us to keep the economy at an appropriate growth rate to confront the employment pressure," he said at a press conference following the conclusion of the annual session of the National People's Congress, the top legislature. Full Story

　　
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L front) arrives for a press conference after the closing ceremony of the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2008. The annual NPC session closed on Tuesday. (Xinhua Photo)

　Premier: Door of dialogue still opens to Dalai

　　BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The door of dialogue still opens to Dalai, so long as he gives up the position for "Tibet Independence", so long as he recognizes Tibet and Taiwan as inalienable parts of the Chinese territory, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao here on Tuesday.

　　The Premier made the remarks at a press conference after the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, ended. Full Story

　　Premier: 2008 likely to be most difficult for Chinese economy

　　BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The year 2008 may be the most difficult year for Chinese economy, largely due to growing uncertainties both inside and outside the country, said Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday.

　　"It will be harder to make decisions," Wen said at a press conference following the annual full session of China's top legislature. Full Story

　　Premier: Taiwan's "UN membership referendum" will cause tension

　　BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan authorities' attempt on "UN membership referendum" will cause tension across the Taiwan Straits, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao here Tuesday.

　　The "referendum" will deny the reality that Taiwan and the mainland belong to one China, he said at a press conference after China's parliament ended its first annual full session. Full Story

　　Premier: Claim of China's "cultural genocide" in Tibet nothing but lie

　　BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The claim that the Chinese government is engaged in "cultural genocide" in Tibet is nothing but a lie, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao here on Tuesday.

　　"Since the peaceful liberation and especially the democratic reform, Tibet has moved forward and become more developed," said Wen at a press conference at the end of the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature. Full Story

　　Premier: Ample facts prove Dalai's role in Lhasa riot

　　BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- There are ample facts and plenty of evidence to prove that the incident in Lhasa was organized, premeditated, masterminded and instigated by the Dalai Lama clique, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told reporters here Tuesday. Full Story

　　Chinese premier: fully confident in controlling inflation

　　BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Tuesday that the government is fully confident in controlling inflation this year, although it will not be an easy job.

　　He made the remarks at a press conference held following the conclusion of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature. Full Story

　　Premier: China faces potential risk of drastic economic fluctuation

　　BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China faces the potential risk of drastic economic fluctuation, while tackling the biggest challenges of soaring prices and mounting inflationary pressure, Premier Wen Jiabao said on Tuesday.

　　Wen made the remarks at a press conference after the closing meeting of the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress. Full Story