Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao heard reports on progress in formulating a strategy on oil and gas resources Thursday in Beijing.

Oil and natural gas are important strategic resources that influence the national economy, social development and state security. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and State Council attaches great importance to research on oil and natural gas strategy that supports sustainable development, Wen told the panel of experts working on the document.

A total of 86 experts took part in the project, broached by Wenin the first half of this year.

Wen said since its beginning, the current administration has made it a system of soliciting views of experts from a wide range of sectors on important issues that influence the overall situation of economic and social development.

In making plans and policies, the government would draw from the results of the deliberation sessions to make the plans and policies more scientific and practical, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 30, 2003)