NDRC chief attends press conference

（Xinhua） 14:49, March 06, 2013

Zhang Ping (2nd L), minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, answers questions at a press conference of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 6, 2013. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

China to reform gasoline pricing mechanism

BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- China's top economic planner said Wednesday the country is studying a new fuel pricing scheme to make it reflect the global markets' oil price fluctuations more swiftly.

Zhang Ping, head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said the top economic planner spotted two major defects in the current oil product pricing mechanism, referring to the 22-working-day cycle and a 4-percent fluctuation in global oil prices as an adjustment flip-flop. Full story

China's chief economic planner "confident" in economy

BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- China's chief economic planner said on Wednesday that the country's 7.8-percent economic growth in 2012 should be evaluated "positively" and he is confident about the overall economy in the long run.

"China currently remains in an important period of strategic opportunities... and I am sure the economy will sustain a durable and healthy development," Zhang Ping, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, the top economic planner, told a press conference. Full story

China's top economic planner defends macro-economic policy

BEIJING, Mar.6 (Xinhua) - The head of China's top economic planner on Wednesday defended the government's economic policy as a means of effectively defusing a crisis and maintaining high growth momentum over the past five years.

"I don't want to boast that 'the scenery is unique here', but we have achieved great success over the years," said Zhang Ping, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, at a press conference on the sidelines of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress, China's top legislature. Full story

China to issue urbanization layout in 2013: chief economic planner

BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- China is likely to roll out a layout this year to guide the country's urbanization drive to advance in an "orderly and healthy" way, a senior economic official said Wednesday.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the top economic planner, is coordinating related authorities to compile the layout, which is likely to be issued in the first half of this year, said Zhang Ping, head of NDRC, at a press conference. Full story

China advancing pilot zone for mainland-HK cooperation

China's top economic planner said on Wednesday that the mainland is in the process of implementing most of the measures aimed at boosting mainland-Hong Kong cooperation in a pilot zone neighboring Hong Kong.

"The construction and opening up of the Qianhai pilot zone is being advanced smoothly," said Zhang Ping, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic planner, at a press conference on the sidelines of parliament's annual session. Full story

China stresses boosting consumption, investing in public sector

BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- China aims to boost domestic demand through raising incomes and spending more on infrastructure related to public welfare, a top economic official said Wednesday.

Expanding domestic demand will remain China's long-term strategy for economic development, said Zhang Ping, head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), at a press conference held on the sidelines of China's ongoing legislative session. Full story