China's tentative overall requirements and targets for economic and social development in 2005 was revealed here Saturday in a report submitted to the National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislature, to be examined and approved by NPC deputies.

The report on the implementation of the 2004 plan for national economic and social development and on the 2005 draft plan for national economic and social development, done by the National Development and Reform Commission, set the following requirements and targets:

-- GDP growth around 8 percent. The target of around 8 percent is for China's overall economic growth. Local authorities should set appropriate targets based on local conditions.

-- Creating 9 million more jobs for urban residents and confining the registered urban unemployment rate to 4.6 percent.

It says as China will basically incorporate subsistence allowances for workers laid off from state-owned enterprises into the unemployment insurance system this year, the registered urban unemployment rate at the end of 2005 is expected to be somewhat higher than last year.

-- Keeping the rise in the consumer price index below 4 percent.

-- Increasing the total volume of imports and exports by 15 percent and basically balancing imports and exports.

The global economy and global trade are set continuing growing in 2005, the report notes. Moreover, China has now lifted all controls over the right to engage in foreign trade. This should inject new vitality into China's exports and increase export volume. The domestic economy will keep growing rapidly, so demand for imports should also continue to expand.

-- Continuing to increase urban and rural incomes. The per capita disposable income of urban residents and the per capita net income of rural residents are expected to increase by about 6 percent and 5 percent respectively in real terms this year.

Continued improvement in the pattern of consumption and the consumption environment this year should also contribute to steady and rapid growth of consumption demand, resulting in an expected 12.5 percent increase in retail sales of consumer goods for the whole country, says the report.

-- Accelerating development of undertakings in science and technology, education, culture, health and sports.

-- Making more efficient use of resources and continuing progress in ecological conservation and environmental protection.

-- Continuing to keep the birthrate low and improve the health of newborns. The natural population growth rate should be confined to 0.7 percent.

Editor: Catherine