Mainland keeps close watch over situation in Taiwan

　　BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhuanet) -- The Chinese mainland is keeping close watch over the situation in Taiwan and making preparations to cope with any possible consequences from the change of the situation, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao here Tuesday.

　　"We will never give up our efforts for peaceful reunification, we will never sway in opposing 'Taiwan independence' secessionist activities, and never allow anyone to secede Taiwan from the motherland," the premier said at a press conference held in the Great Hall of People in downtown Beijing after the Fourth Annual Session of the Tenth National People's Congress (NPC) ended. Full story

　　Mainland ready for cross-Straits talks under one-China principle, on equal footing

　　The mainland is willing and ready to hold consultations and negotiations with any individuals or political parties in Taiwan, including the Democratic Progressive Party, on an equal footing on the basis of one-China principle, the premier said. Full story

　　China pursues self-defense policy

　　China pursues a national defense policy of self-defense, and its limited increase of military expenditure is mainly used to improve the living conditions of officers and men and improve self-defense capability, said the premier. Full story

　　Environmental pollution major problem in China's development

　　Environmental pollution has become a major problem in China's current development and it has not been addressed well. China finished most of the targets for the Tenth Five-Year Plan period (2000-2005), but the targets for environment were not done well, Wen said. Full story

　　Sino-Japanese relations hard to develop if shrine issue not resolved

　　It will be very difficult for the Sino-Japanese relations to make progress if the issue of Japanese leaders' visits to a shrine worshipping war criminals can not be well resolved, Premier Wen said. Full story

　　Strong China-India relations to usher in true Asian century

　　Premier Wen highly valued relations between China and India, saying strong bilateral ties will usher in a true Asian century. It is when China and India are really strong enough and fully bring out their vitality that it will "usher in a new true Asian century," Wen said. Full story

　　No more unexpected changes of RMB exchange rate

　　China will introduce no more unexpected changes in the exchange rate of its currency, the RMB yuan, Premier Wen announced. "There will be no more surprise," said Wen. Full story

　　Premier stresses building new socialist countryside

　　Premier Wen stressed the importance of building new socialist countryside at the press conference.

　　"The issues concerning agriculture, rural areas and farmers are fundamental ones that have bearings on the overall China's modernization drive," Wen said. Full story

　　Economic development conducive to HK's democratic construction

　　The improvement in Hong Kong's economy and people's living standards is conducive to promoting the democratic and political system according to the Basic Law of the special administrative region, Premier Wen said. Full story

　　Focus of education must be oriented toward general public

　　Premier Wen said that China will try to have the educational cause be targeted at the general public and ensure everyone the opportunity to receive education.

　　"Education is the footstone of a modernized country and a country's development depends at last on improving the competence of the public," the premier said. Full story

　　Some local governments infringe on people's legal rights

　　Some local governments have infringed upon the legitimate rights and interests of the people, and social conflicts have subsequently occurred, the premier said.

　　The premier noted that more problems and conflicts have appeared in the process of land requisition by the government, the demolition of old houses and relevant resettlement, and corporate restructuring in recent years when China has experienced fast economic growth. Full story

　　Premier stresses role of trade unions in work safety supervision

　　Trade unions should and can play their role in work safety supervision, Premier Wen said.

　　Trade unions at all levels should bring their role into full play "especially in work safety supervision" to better safeguard workers' interest, the premier said. Full story

　　Chinese mainland to open 5 more cities to Hong Kong for individual traveling

　　Chinese mainland will open five more cities to individual travel program to Hong Kong starting this May, Wen announced.

　　The mainland has forged a closer economic partnership with Hong Kong over the past few years, he said, adding that some infrastructural facilities linking Hong Kong and the mainland are under construction of some others is being stepped up. Full story

　　China's management of Internet conforms to int'l practice

　　The Chinese government supports the development of Internet and the management of the Internet conforms to international common practice, said the premier.

　　Being the people's government, it should subject to the democratic supervision from the masses, and listen to the various opinions on the Internet, said Wen. Full story

　　Premier vows never to back away in resolving problems concerning public interest

　　Premier Wen said that the issues worry him most are overly expensive medical and education services, high housing prices and safety problems during his first three years as premier. Full story

　　State must take dominant share in reforms of state-owned banks

　　In reforming Chinese state-owned banks, the state must take a dominate share to prevent financial risks, said the premier. Full story

　　China to give harsh punishment to illicit land seizure

　　China will mete out harsh punishment to those who illicitly seize land from the farmers, Premier Wen said at the press conference. Full story

　　China to unswervingly push forward reform, opening-up

　　China must unswervingly push forward its reform and opening-up drive and follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Premier Wen said. Full story

(Photo: Xinhua)

(Xinhua Photo)

(Photo: Xinhua)

(Photo: Xinhua)

(Photo: Xinhua)

(Photo: Xinhua)