Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said yesterday that China's financial
institutions have generally increased their strength, profitability and
risk-resisting ability, and the financial system as a whole is sound and safe in
face of the international financial crisis.
Wen made the remarks during an inspection tour to Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous
Region in southwest China.
He said that the world economic situation has had dramatic changes this year,
the United States' subprime crisis has been deteriorating and is having an
increasingly serious negative impact on the world's financial market and the
world economy as a whole.
Under multiple negative factors, both international and domestic, China has
reacted actively and properly, made efforts to improve the predictability,
pertinence and flexibility of macro-economic control policies, and timely solved
outstanding problems in economic development. As a result, the country's economy
has maintained its momentum of smooth and rapid development, Wen said.
Generally speaking, China's economic foundations have not changed and the
economy is developing towards the preset macro control targets, said the
Premier.
"We have full confidence in China's economic development and financial
stability," Wen said, stressing that the most important thing is to do our own
business well, maintain the stability of the economy and the financial and
capital markets.
"It is the biggest contribution to the world when a big country with a
population of 1.3 billion is able to maintain a lasting, smooth and fast
economic development," he said.
On Saturday and Sunday, Wen inspected villages and factories in the cities of
Beihai, Qinzhou and Fangchenggang, and talked with local people of different
nationalities and from all walks of life.
He said that the development of Beibu Gulf should focus on technological
innovation and environmental protection to build into an important zone for
international and regional economic cooperation.
In Gaosha Village of Qinzhou, Wen inspected rice paddy and visited farmers'
homes. He said that the government will further reinforce its support for
agriculture, continue to increase subsidies to farmers and raise the minimum
grain purchasing prices to mobilize farmers to produce more grain.