Premier Wen: Government confident in dealing with inflation

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao says Monday his government will take measures to ensure sufficient supply and stabilize prices during his visit to some needy citizens in Dongcheng District of Beijing.(Xinhua Photo)

Premier Wen Jiabao says the government is confident it can deal with inflation, and new measures to stabilize prices are on the way. Premier Wen made the remarks during a visit to low-income households in Beijing.

This is one of the low-income households Wen Jiabao visited in Beijing's Dongcheng District.

It's the third family he visited. Two elderly people live in this traditional courtyard deep inside Beijing's old city area.

After these visits, Wen Jiabao went to the local community center for a discussion session with representatives of low-income families. He listened to their thoughts on the recent consumer price rises.

Wen Jiabao said there were several reasons for this year's inflation. The global rise of oil prices has had a knock-on effect on consumer goods. Rising international food prices have also caused domestic prices to rise. And there supplies of domestic products are unbalanced. Currently, most industrial products' prices remain stable, but food prices have risen. Wen Jiabao said this year's grain harvest has hit a record high, and that should ease the situation to some extent.

Wen Jiabao says governments at various levels have taken measures to deal with inflation.

They include improving production and ensuring adequate supplies. The State Council has issued policies to improve the production of pork, oil and dairy products. Another measure is to improve transportation of materials, coordination and storage. And a third is to buy foreign products to ease the domestic shortages.

Wen Jiabao has also called on local governments to ensure the daily needs of low-income households. Premier Wen says the government can overcome the current situation and stabilize the market and prices.

Editor:Zhang Ning