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| Inflation tops China 2008 agenda | Inflation tops China 2008 agenda |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Tackling record levels of inflation is one of China's major tasks for this year, Premier Wen Jiabao has said. | Tackling record levels of inflation is one of China's major tasks for this year, Premier Wen Jiabao has said. |
| Inflation rose by 7.1% in January - the highest level in more than a decade - and opinion polls show it is one of Chinese people's top concerns. | Inflation rose by 7.1% in January - the highest level in more than a decade - and opinion polls show it is one of Chinese people's top concerns. |
| Speaking at the opening of China's annual parliamentary session, he said economic growth would slow to about 8%. | Speaking at the opening of China's annual parliamentary session, he said economic growth would slow to about 8%. |
| Chinese politicians are worried higher food prices could lead to discontent and social unrest, correspondents say. | Chinese politicians are worried higher food prices could lead to discontent and social unrest, correspondents say. |
| Prices, particularly for basic food items such as pork and eggs, rose markedly last year in China, partly because of supply problems. | Prices, particularly for basic food items such as pork and eggs, rose markedly last year in China, partly because of supply problems. |
| An unusually cold winter in southern China this year also damaged winter crops, pushing up prices further. | An unusually cold winter in southern China this year also damaged winter crops, pushing up prices further. |
| Inflationary pressure | Inflationary pressure |
| Economists believe China will be able to control inflation, but the government appears to recognise the danger of rising prices. | Economists believe China will be able to control inflation, but the government appears to recognise the danger of rising prices. |
| In his work report at the start of China's National People's Congress (NPC), Premier Wen focused on controlling inflation. | In his work report at the start of China's National People's Congress (NPC), Premier Wen focused on controlling inflation. |
| The primary task... this year is to prevent fast economic growth from becoming overheated growth Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Main issues at NPC | The primary task... this year is to prevent fast economic growth from becoming overheated growth Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Main issues at NPC |
| "Last year's price increases are still exerting a fairly strong influence and quite a few factors are creating inflationary pressure," he said. | "Last year's price increases are still exerting a fairly strong influence and quite a few factors are creating inflationary pressure," he said. |
| "We have to take into consideration the ability of individuals, enterprises and all sectors of society to tolerate price increases." | "We have to take into consideration the ability of individuals, enterprises and all sectors of society to tolerate price increases." |
| Premier Wen said the consumer price index should be held at around 4.8% this year. | Premier Wen said the consumer price index should be held at around 4.8% this year. |
| In order to tackle inflation, he said the government would expand production of basic necessities, such as grain and cooking oil. | In order to tackle inflation, he said the government would expand production of basic necessities, such as grain and cooking oil. |
| More balanced development | More balanced development |
| It will also prevent valuable farmland being used for construction and control the amount of grain that is exported. | It will also prevent valuable farmland being used for construction and control the amount of grain that is exported. |
| The NPC will also discuss the forthcoming Olympic Games | The NPC will also discuss the forthcoming Olympic Games |
| The premier said economic growth would be slightly less than 2007's 11.4% because the government wanted more balanced development. | The premier said economic growth would be slightly less than 2007's 11.4% because the government wanted more balanced development. |
| "The primary task... this year is to prevent fast economic growth from becoming overheated growth," he said. | "The primary task... this year is to prevent fast economic growth from becoming overheated growth," he said. |
| The two-week NPC draws delegates from across China for a largely ceremonial event at which there is limited public debate. | The two-week NPC draws delegates from across China for a largely ceremonial event at which there is limited public debate. |
| They will discuss a range of subjects, such as the upcoming Olympics Games and the restructuring of government departments. | They will discuss a range of subjects, such as the upcoming Olympics Games and the restructuring of government departments. |
| Are you in China? Have you been affected by inflation and the rising cost of food? Send us your experiences. | |