Jilin Governor Wang Rulin speaks to the 11th Jilin People's Congress.


Speaking before the 11th Jilin Provincial People's Congress, Governor Wang Rulin has pledged to meet the challenges of 2010 as enterprises in the northeastern province face lower domestic demand, fierce competition and overcapacity in some traditional industries.

"We must improve our ability to cope with the changing economic situations both domestically and internationally," Wang said. "We never underestimate the challenges we are going to face and will take effective measures to deal with them."

He noted that this year also offers hope and opportunities as the global economy is showing signs of recovery while China continues to pursue pro-active fiscal policies and moderately loose monetary policies to ensure a solid foundation for its economic recovery.

"Given these circumstances, we must keep a firm grasp on the great opportunities brought about by the central government's new policies on revitalizing the industrial bases in northeast China, and by the significant decision to construct the Changchun-Jilin-Tumenjiang Regional Development Zone," said Wang.

The provincial government also "needs to make steady progress in the drive to industrialization, urbanization and agricultural modernization", he noted.

Wang added that Jilin must also adjust its economic structure, accelerate efforts to change from unsustainable production and open even further to the outside world.

The province's 2010 blueprint calls for GDP to increase 13 percent with a 15 percent rise in fiscal revenues collected by local governments at various levels. The growth will be achieved by reducing per-unit GDP energy intensity by a minimum of 5.5 percent, Wang said.

The added value created by industrial enterprises above a designated size (i.e. all State-owned enterprises and those non-State-owned enterprises with an annual sales income of more than 5 million yuan) will increase by 15 percent, according to the plan, while investment in fixed assets will rise more than 30 percent.

Retail sales of consumer goods are projected to rise 17 percent. Import-export trade is targeted to increase 16 percent.

Per-capita disposable income of urban residents is expected to increase by 10 percent while rural net income rises 8 percent for the year.

According to the projections, the consumer price index will be about 3 percent and unemployment will be at most 4.6 percent as 450,000 new jobs will be created in urban areas.

Jilin provincial authorities have earmarked 950 billion yuan in total fixed asset investment for 2010, including 2,090 projects currently under construction that each cost more than 30 million yuan

Another 3,210 projects of the same scale will start construction this year. High priority will be given to automobiles, petrochemicals, agricultural processing and railway vehicles.

The government also plans to start construction on four rail lines and six freeways by the end of 2010. An inter-city rail link between Changchun and Jilin city is expected to be completed within the year, while the Changchun Longjia Airport extension project is also slated to begin service by year's end.

Authorities will also prohibit new projects with high energy consumption and pollution while avoiding overcapacity and low-level development.

Agriculture remains at the top of the government agenda. Four modern agriculture demonstration areas will be established, focusing on water saving, ecology, agricultural machinery, and science and technology. If the province is not hit by significant natural disasters during the year, its grain output is expected to surpass 27.5 billion kilograms.

Plans also call for various initiatives to increase the income of rural residents. Free training in new skills and guidance will be given to migrant rural workers and those living in rural areas who want to start their own businesses.

Continuing the policy from 2009, subsidies will be given to buyers of home appliances, agricultural machinery and cars in the countryside to expand the rural market.

In urban areas, 20 provincial-level industrial zones will be built in the drive to combine industrialization and information technology. One hundred big companies will be aided to grow even stronger both in domestic and foreign markets.

Emerging strategic industries such as new-energy vehicles, new materials, biomedicine and electronic information will also benefit from supportive policies this year.

As well, use of private capital will be encouraged in industries and areas not prohibited by law. Even public utilities and infrastructure projects will invite private investment.

The twin challenges of energy saving and emission reduction will continue to be a high priority, with the governor pledging to fully satisfy targets set in the 11th Five-Year Plan.

As well, the Songhuajiang River water pollution control and prevention project is expected to be completed and operating by the end of the year.