Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday said the government will focus on reining in food prices and the housing market in an outline of the government's key work for the first quarter.

He said at a plenary meeting of the State Council, or Cabinet, that better monitoring of commodity prices and improved supply of major agricultural products, daily necessities, and production materials, was required.

He ordered authorities to help farmers prepare for winter and spring ploughing, and help those affected by drought and icy weather.

To ensure sound development of the real estate sector, Wen urged authorities to "increase supply of commercial residential buildings available at medium or low prices," curb property speculation, and enhance supervision.

Another key task is to fix the supply and demand imbalances in energy and transport, he said.

Other tasks include ensuring work safety and social stability, ensuring payment of migrant workers' salaries and outstanding wages, and improving supervision of food safety.

Those at the meeting discussed drafts of the government work report and 12th Five-Year Program Outline, which will be delivered for review at the fourth plenary session of the 11th National People's Congress, the national legislature, in March.

After discussions, those attending the plenary meeting agreed for the drafts to be sent to local governments, central government departments and other institutions for feedback.

The State Council will also hold seminars to listen to representatives of different sectors, and senior leaders of the Cabinet will tour villages and cities to seek feedback directly from the public, Wen said.

He said there were still "prominent problems including imbalanced, uncoordinated or unsustainable development in China."

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