Politburo: More reform ahead

The Politburo said China will improve macroeconomic controls on fixed-asset investment, accelerate economic reform and boost consumption in 2006, reported the South China Morning Post. The announcement came ahead of the annual national economic work conference expected next week, which assigns priorities in the year's overall economic plan, and drafts a government work report to be presented by Premier Wen Jiabao to the National People's Congress in March. "Efforts must be made to boost social harmony and maintain stability," Xinhua news agency reported.