An executive meeting held in Beijing Wednesday by the State Council underlined the importance of employment as well as the promotion of rural people's income.

The meeting, chaired by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, analyzed the economic situation this year and discussed the economic task next year.

It urged the transformation of Chinese government functions, stressing farm production in winter, crackdown on illegal economic activities, taxation, supervision over loans, poverty relief, and the prevention of SARS and severe accidents.

(Xinhua News Agency November 6, 2003)