NPC chief has wise words for Shanghai

National People's Congress Chairman Wu Bangguo has urged Shanghai to take a lead in 'science and innovation' and pay greater attention to 'social harmony'.

Mr Wu, who has just ended a five-day inspection tour of the city, also reminded Shanghai leaders to vigorously enforce environmental protection regulations and veto any projects that might pose a threat to the environment.

On social harmony, Mr Wu said China's goal of building a harmonious society did not mean that there would be no conflict within society.

'A harmonious society is not a society without conflict,' Mr Wu told Xinhua yesterday.

'[Instead], it means we should resolve the many contradictions which have appeared in society so that society can become vibrant and forceful.'

Mr Wu did not single out any particular social incidents in Shanghai when he discussed the issue of social harmony.

In recent years, many displaced homeowners in Shanghai have taken to the streets to protest against eviction.

The NPC chairman said the most important thing was to allow the benefits of China's prosperity to be shared by as many people as possible, especially the poor, and reforms had to be cautiously carried out.

Regarding the economy, Mr Wu said Shanghai should 'make great progress' in science and innovation' as the city already had a big pool of talent and many colleges, science institutes and high-tech firms.