Zhu made the call during an inspection tour of Chongqing Municipality, Southwest China, on January 4-8. During his stay, the premier studied issues concerning the rural economy, the reform of State-owned enterprises (SOEs) and social security.

Zhu said the fulfillment of the tasks needs an enterprising spirit and a down-to-earth approach.

The strengthening of agriculture and the increase of farmers' incomes are the top priorities of this year's economic work, the premier said. Other priorities include deepening the reform of SOEs, perfecting the social security system, continuing with the pro-active fiscal policy and standardizing and rectifying the market order.

China will push ahead reforms of its grain marketing mechanism, rural fee-to-tax reform and rural finance, Zhu said.

Zhu pledged to consolidate the progress made in pulling most of China's large and medium-sized SOEs out of difficulties. China has basically achieved its SOE-reform goals to bring most large loss-making SOEs back into the black within three years.

Pension-holders from SOEs must be paid in full and on time, while efforts should be made to ensure a basic standard of living for the unemployed and the poor in cities, he said.

The premier encouraged laid-off workers from SOEs to find jobs on the private labor market.

On the issue of resettling local people affected by the massive Three Gorges Dam Project, Zhu pledged increased openness and transparency and a crackdown on corruption in connection with the project.

(Xinhua 01/09/2001)