PREMIER Zhu Rongji has extracted 'ironclad pledges' from his Cabinet members to deliver on leading government goals within a set time-frame.
Mr Zhu has also pointed out that if leaders are of a high-enough calibre, 'they can overcome all difficulties'.
The new head of the State Council has conducted marathon sessions with his ministers since the end of the National People's Congress (NPC) this month.
Beijing sources said yesterday Mr Zhu wanted to take advantage of his high approval rating at the NPC to speed up reform programmes.
For example, State Councillor Wu Yi, in charge of foreign trade and investment, pledged that despite the Asian financial crisis, relevant government units would do their best to boost exports and attract foreign investment this year.
And Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo, who is in charge of industry and state-owned enterprises, vowed he would ensure that loss-making plants be turned around in three years.
All ministers in charge of economic and production departments vowed to help achieve the eight per cent growth target, together with inflation of below three per cent.
