CLEAN ENERGY EXPORTS: An engineer at Changxing Wind Power Technology Co. tests the wind power turbines in a company factory. China will pursue sustainable and green development during the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-15) (DONG NAIDE)

When the Fourth Session of the 11th National People's Congress was held on March 5-14 and drew the nation's attention, expats in Beijing also followed the meeting. Beijing Review reporter Liu Xinlian interviewed foreign nationals completing their master's degrees in public administration at School of Public Policy and Management of Tsinghua University about the government work report delivered by Premier Wen Jiabao and the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15) approved at the session.

Steven Andrews (United States, student): China's 12th Five-Year Plan emphasizes a more sustainable and socially inclusive strategy for development. Decreasing the speed of economic growth from 7.5 to 7 percent, along with more stringent environmental goals, will all help the transformation to a cyclic economy. A significant increase in the minimum wage for the next five years will also promote a harmonious society.

However, foreign comments say there does not appear to be a change in the hukou (household registration) system. There's also the continued reliance on state enterprises and state-owned banking system.

China's ability to effectively develop strategic long-term plans stands in stark contrast to the United States, which can't even agree on a budget.

Even Roger Pay (United States, program analyst): Premier Wen Jiabao's government work report was in many ways similar to the State of the Union Address by U.S. President Obama this January. Both leaders highlighted important themes in economic development, public welfare, environmental protection, job creation and peaceful diplomacy. However, a number of obvious contrasts also emerge.

Premier Wen is much more specific about the commitments of China to meeting environmental energy targets. This issue is much more politically fraught in the United States and, as a result, Obama has been less aggressive here.

Jason Liu (United States, student): The government work report highlights China's key development goals. The subjects include agricultural economy and science and technology. China's farmer population still makes up the majority of the population, therefore the government should focus on this group of individuals if its goal is to shrink income gap.

Science and technology have caught the attention of policymakers since China's future workforce trend is to transform from labor intensive to knowledge intensive. Therefore, science and technology investment is crucial for the transformation.

Florisse Rousselin (France, teacher): Focus was placed on the importance of addressing domestic corruption. Premier Wen Jiabao pointed out how some problems still haven't been reduced and would be worked out, such as inflation, particularly on agricultural goods and food.

In view of growth rates, the future objective has been announced to be around 8 percent for the coming year, and around 7 percent for the next five years—somewhat lower than last year's 10 percent. Concerning the monetary policy, the government plans to remain cautious, bringing the broad money supply up by 16 percent.

Teng Leng Lim (Singapore, civil servant): The government work report comes across as a piece of humble work. Apart from recognizing the achievements during the 11th Five-Year Plan period (2006-10), the government also recognizes that it has fallen short of some expectations and has failed to deliver to the people. It is very rare to see this in a speech from a senior political leader.

I see the 12th Five-Year Plan as a bold plan to make the life of the people better given improved income distribution, better and affordable housing and medical care.