Premier Wen Jiabao delivers his government work report at the opening session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People on Saturday. (Photo: Xinhua)

Facing up to rapid economic growth and dramatic social change, China's leaders are stressing harmony as they attempt to map a smoother pathway to development.
The word was much in evidence as Premier Wen Jiabao delivered his government work report at the opening session of the National People's Congress in Beijing on Saturday.
The premier said the government will strive this year "to solve outstanding problems vital to the immediate interests of the people, safeguard social stability and build a harmonious socialist society."
The concept was launched at a meeting of Communist Party of China's Central Committee and further advanced by President Hu Jintao at a high-level Party seminar held prior to this year's sessions of the country's legislature - the NPC - and its top advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Congress.
Under hu's formulation, a harmonious society features democracy, the rule of law, equity, justice, sincerity, amity and vitality. It gives full scope to people's talent and creativity, enables all the people to share the social wealth brought by reform and development, and forges an ever closer relationship between the people and government.
"These things will result in enduring stability and unity," said Hu, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.
Sustained reforms over the past two and a half decades have resulted in prosperity for many Chinese citizens, but social problems such as corruption, a growing income gap, unemployment, poverty, poor occupational safety and pollution remain top concerns.
Failure of the country's compulsory education system to reach rural children and the lack of an effective health-care network are among China's other serious social problems.
Against this backdrop of challenges, China's leaders have voiced concern about "balancing the interests between different social groups, avoiding conflicts and making sure people live a safe and happy life in a politically stable country."
"The government has begun to pay more attention to what economic growth means to social development," said Qiu Dong, a professor with the Central University of Finance and Economics and a deputy to the NPC.
In his government work report, Wen put some hard numbers behind the call for harmony.
Among them, the central government will earmark 10.9 billion yuan (US$1.3 billion) to help laid-off workers regain employment - 2.6 billion yuan more than last year.
"Local budgets will also increase allocations for the reemployment drive," said Wen.
He also pledged to extend educational aid to rural areas. Starting this year, many poor rural students will be given free textbooks and campus living allowances.
In addition, government departments at all levels have been urged to allocate more than 200 billion yuan to help the country's 900 million farmers.