Chinese Vice Premier Huang Ju said Sunday that central state-owned enterprises (SOEs) should strive to change development mode for a growth of better quality next year.

The national economy has gained good momentum in 2005 and the central SOEs have deepened reforms and improved their assets quality in the year, said Huang at a meeting held in Beijing on Sunday.

In the first year of China's 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010), the central SOEs should play an important role in the balance of China's reform, development and stability, Huang said.

The state-owned capital should further concentrate on important industries and key areas vital to the national economy, said the vice premier, adding that big enterprises and company groups with international competitiveness should be formed.

Huang also urged the SOEs to invest more in hi-tech and new product development and set up a mechanism favorable to innovation.

SOEs should be models of saving resources and protecting environment, he said, asking the companies to speed up concerned technology research and develop recycling economy.

The vice premier also urged SOEs' to implement "go-out" strategy and improve their work safety.

(Xinhua News Agency December 26, 2005)