Premier Wen Jiabao at the press conference.

 

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao?met the press after the closing meeting of the?fifth session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 14, 2012.

Here are the highlights of the press conference:

? Wang Lijun incident

The Chongqing authorities are urged to reflect on and draw lessons from the Wang Lijun incident.

? Political reform

China needs not only economic reform but also political reform, especially the reform of the leadership system of the Party and government.

? U.S. high-tech exports

The U.S.?is urged to?relax its export restrictions on high-tech products to China in order to address trade imbalance between the two countries.

? Self-immolations in Tibet

China opposed Tibetan clergy to take such radical moves of self-immolations to disturb and undermine social harmony.

? HK chief executive election

Premier Wen Jiabao said he believes Hong Kong will elect a chief executive who enjoys the support of the vast majority of local people.

? Mainland-Taiwan relationship

The premier hoped deep-rooted common cultural bond would help resolve the merely decades-long political grouches across the Taiwan Strait.

? Citizen critics of government policies

Premier Wen Jiabao expressed his willingness to meet with citizen critics of government policies in Zhongnanhai, the seat of the central government.

? 7.5% GDP target

The 7.5 percent GDP growth target for 2012 is a result of the government's proactive macro-control and can not be viewed as low.

? RMB exchange rate

The real effective exchange rate of Renminbi may have reached its equilibrium level after rising by 30 percent since China launched the exchange rate reform in 2005.

? Non-public capital

China's financial authorities are actively considering taking private financing activities in China's east city of Wenzhou as one of the pilots for an overall reform in this field.

? Housing market

The country will not slacken its efforts in regulating housing prices, which he considered still "far from a reasonable level."?

? Social justice

The government will formulate an overall plan for the reform of income distribution system, and introduce a regulation on the expropriation and compensation of collectively owned rural land.

??Reaction to?global downturn

It is important for China to handle its own affairs well in order to cope with the international financial crisis and the European debt crisis.

? Local gov't borrowing

The government's debts are at a controllable and safe level, adding that the increase of debts will be "strictly controlled."

? Stance on Syria

China has no self-interests in the Syrian issue and respects the demand for democracy by the Arab people.

? Review of?Wen's term

Premier Wen Jiabao said that he should assume responsibility for the problems that had occurred in China's economy and society during his term of office.