Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has called for the strengthening and improvement of macroeconomic control measures, in the latest sign that Beijing is not yet confident that its steaming economy has been sufficiently cooled.
Wen made the comments on a visit to the southern province of Sichuan at a time when debate among economists is growing about what further measures the government might adopt to follow tightening steps that have already led to a sharp deceleration in economic growth.
"Strengthening and perfecting macroeconomic controls is still at present the economic focal point," state broadcaster China Central Television reported Wen as saying. "All regions and all departments will continue to implement all of the policies and measures of macroeconomic control, and consolidate the controls' results," he said. Wen's remarks during the August 5-8 trip come ahead of China's July economic data, due to start trickling out this week.
Wen also said China should strive to relieve difficulties in the transportation of coal and oil, both in high demand with economic growth.