Premier Wen Jiabao promised yesterday to strengthen social justice and equity and ensure everyone enjoys equal opportunities for development.

Wen, who was re-appointed premier on Sunday, said his government will ensure rapid yet stable economic development and at the same time hold down inflation and address problems of "unstable, uncoordinated and unsustainable" development.

Secondly, he said the Chinese government needs the courage and determination to further free people's minds in order to make new breakthroughs in reform of the economic and political systems.

Thirdly, he said it's important for the government to strengthen social justice and equity, which means to respect everyone, protect the lawful rights and interests of all and ensure everyone enjoys equal opportunities for development.

"If the development of the economy and improvement of the people's livelihood are the bounding duties of the government, then the promotion of social justice and equity is the conscience of the government," he said.

The premier also stressed cultural advancement and higher ethical standards in China, including higher credibility, integrity, tolerance, fraternity and morality.

"To ensure this country will become stronger and more prosperous, to build a society of equity and justice, to ensure the people live a happy life, our children can go to school and our nation is duly respected in the international community, I'm willing to dedicate myself wholeheartedly to this cause," he said.

In his government work report to the NPC session, Wen said the country was facing "increasing inflationary pressures" and the task of holding down inflation was "difficult."

"The current price rises and increasing inflationary pressures are the biggest concern of the people," he said.

Last year, China's consumer price index, a barometer of inflation, rose 4.8 percent year on year, the highest since 1997 and well above the government target of three percent.

A week after Wen announced the country's goals to keep inflation about 4.8 percent, the National Bureau of Statistics said last week inflation climbed to a nearly 12-year high of 8.7 percent in February, driven by a 23.3 percent jump in food prices.

This may be the most difficult year for the Chinese economy, largely because of growing uncertainties inside and outside the country, Wen told his press conference yesterday.

"It will be harder to make decisions," he said.

The government has set "two prevents" when mapping out this year's economic policies: to prevent the fast-growing economy being overheated and keep structural price rises from turning into significant inflation.

"However, China is a developing country with a population of 1.3 billion, which demands that we keep the economy at an appropriate growth rate to confront the employment pressure," he said.

"We must strike a balance between economic development and inflation control. Now we have set our 2008 goal for economic growth at eight percent and a target for CPI rise of about 4.8 percent, showing that we are trying to hit a balance.

"I know it's a tough task.

"But we shall keep a close eye on economic changes and trends and make timely and flexible responses.

"We shall not shy away from the difficulties and shall face up to the responsibilities to carry our development cause forward."