Reform-minded economists are being incorporated into Premier Zhu Rongji's administration to help hammer out the reform programme.
Economic scholars are also being introduced to ministries and provinces to help 'enrich' their economic knowledge.
A Qinghua University professor said economists had regained influence since 1987 when former leader Zhao Ziyang relied heavily on them to work out precise reform strategies.
Renowned economist Dong Furen said: 'This seems to be the best time for economists as it is the first time both leaders and economists have reached more consensus on market reform measures.' Six economists and scholars from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Ministry of Agriculture in Beijing were despatched to Shanxi to help solve reform problems there, Xinhua said yesterday.
The exchanges helped local officials and entrepreneurs solve various problems, the Changzhi party secretary in Shanxi said.
