China's State Development and Reform Commission (SDRC) issued a Program of Action for Sustainable Development in China in the Early 21st Century on Thursday.

The program is one of the measures China is taking to implement decisions made at the Johannesburg world summit on sustainable development.

The program summarizes China's achievements and problems in sustainable development in the past 10 years and puts forward guidelines, principles and focal areas for progress.

China should focus on growing capacities for sustainable development, restructuring its economy, controlling population growth, improving the environment and increasing utilization of resources.

The program aims to achieve development featured by rising productivity, a prosperous economy and a well-preserved environment.

According to the program, China should seize the opportunity of its accession to the World Trade Organization, and give full play to the role of government in coordinating and spearheading the implementation of the sustainable development strategy.

(Xinhua News Agency July 25, 2003)