The State Council, or China's Cabinet, announced Tuesday that it will send drafts of the annual government work report to local governments and some central departments in order to solicit opinions and get feedback.

The decision was made at a work conference chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao, as representatives gathered to discuss the draft of the government work report which is to be delivered at the opening of the fifth session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.

Wen said the government should create channels for people to voice their criticisms, and the government should listen to, and absorb, their suggestions in order to improve government's operation.

He said China faces difficult development tasks in 2012, and the government should keep pushing for economic and political reforms and strive to make breakthroughs in some key areas.

Wen said China's economy is moving toward the direction that has been laid out by the country's macro-control policies, and the past year has seen relatively fast growth, stabilizing prices and improving livelihood in China.

While acknowledging economic achievements made in 2011, Wen also mapped out the government's work plan in some key areas.

He said the government will "acutely" observe economic trends both at home and abroad to make its macro-control policies in a more targeted, flexible and forward-thinking way.

The government will work to ensure the capital flow in the country's key projects to keep investments growing at a steady level, Wen said. It will also step up credit support for the real economy, especially for small- and mid-sized enterprises, said Wen, who also promised wider market access to invigorate private businesses.

Meanwhile, Wen said the government will continue to "strictly follow" and perfect its policies to stem speculation in the property sector -- a move to rein in home prices.

He also reiterated the government's efforts in boosting agricultural production, promoting foreign trade and strengthening food and drug regulation.

The NPC will convene its annual session in Beijing on March 5.

(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2012)