Annual session of Yantai Municipal People's Congress opens

The Second Plenary Session of the 17th Municipal People's Congress of Yantai convenes on Jan 6 at the Yantai International Expo Center, gathering 451 deputies. [Photo by Li Gang/jiaodong.net]

The Second Plenary Session of the 17th Municipal People's Congress of Yantai convened on Jan 6 at the Yantai International Expo Center, gathering 451 deputies.

Zhang Yongxia, mayor of Yantai, delivered a government work report, in which she reviewed the work in 2017, specified the guidelines, goals and major areas of work for 2018, and pledged to strengthen the government's self-improvement.

The year 2017 is the first year for this government to take office. Under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the municipal government of Yantai conscientiously implemented the decisions made by the Shandong Provincial Committee of the CPC, Shandong provincial government and Yantai Municipal Committee of the CPC, Zhang noted. In the past year, the city has been making efforts to promote innovative and sustainable development, replace the old growth drivers with new ones and improve people's livelihoods, Zhang said.

As for this year's work, Zhang said the government will focus on supply-side structural reform, prioritize the development of real economy, accelerate the establishment of modern economic system, improve citizens' living conditions, go all out to safeguard social harmony and stability, and lead the way in finishing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

This year, the gross regional product of Yantai is expected to grow by more than 7 percent. Revenue in the general public budgets will grow by 6.5 percent. Fixed asset investment will increase by 8 percent. Total retail sales of consumer goods will grow by 16.9 percent, according to the report.

In 2018, total foreign trade value and incoming overseas capital in place will maintain a steady growth. The per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents will grow by 7.5 and 8 percent respectively, the report said.

This year, the government will strive to prevent and deal with major risks, carry out targeted poverty alleviation, and prevent and treat pollution. The government is also faced with ten major tasks this year, including promoting innovation-driven development, cultivating leading industries, improving the performance of and upgrading Yantai's economy, implementing rural revitalization strategy, carrying out urbanization projects, building itself into a city with strong marine industries and integrating the development of culture and tourism industries.

Zhang also pledged to improve the services of the government by sticking to the leadership CPC, serving the people wholeheartedly, and conducting law-based administration and governance.