The new line-up of China's State Council, nominated by Premier Wen Jiabao, won approval of lawmakers at the seventh plenary meeting of the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress Monday afternoon.

Li Keqiang, Hui Liangyu, Zhang Dejiang and Wang Qishan were approved as vice-premiers, with Liu Yandong, Liang Guanglie, Ma Kai, Meng Jianzhu and Dai Bingguo as state councilors and Ma Kai as secretary-general (concurrently) of the cabinet.

The others in the line-up were 25 ministers, the governor of the People's Bank of China and the auditor-general of the National Audit Office.

The meeting also approved the composition of the special committees of the 11th National People's Congress, other than the Financial and Economic Committee, which had been approved at the beginning of the NPC annual session.

A total of 2,946 NPC deputies attended the seventh plenary meeting.

"I have noticed that some members of the new Cabinet once took posts both in local governments and departments under the State Council and they are quite capable of handling economic issues," said Dalielihan Mamihan, NPC deputy from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

They are familiar with the deep-rooted problems of the nation, and thus will help better solve the thorny issues in economic and social sectors, he said.

NPC deputy Wang Shengxi from east Jiangsu Province said the new State Council should further improve its policies in macro-economic regulation, affordable housing supply and social securities. He also hoped the Cabinet continues to increase investment in education and health.

Tang Xiuting, NPC deputy from northeast Heilongjiang Province, said the Cabinet should keep sober-minded, as looming uncertainties in China's economic development requires proper handling.

NPC deputy Jin Changrong from Shanghai said in the socialist market economy, the government should provide more public services and strengthen restraint and supervision on power.

(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2008)