THE leadership has expressed confidence about forging consensus on economic policy at the Fourth Plenum of the Central Committee, which is tentatively scheduled for the second half of September.
Chinese sources said yesterday the plenary session would address issues including a package of reform for state enterprises; the problem of stagflation; the need to continue with a tight-money policy; and a new deal for farmers.
The initial plan was that at least half of the Central Committee members would stay behind in the capital to celebrate the 45th National Day with the masses, boosting political unity.
The sources said that the recommendations to be made at the plenum would be hammered out in a series of informal meetings to be held this week at the North China seaside resort of Beidaihe.
They said the meetings, which will last until the end of August, would culminate in a Central-level Work Committee on the Economy, which will precede the plenum.
The transformation of state enterprises, 47 per cent of which are losing money, has been postponed to the first half of next year.
Vice-Premier Zhu Rongji has ruled that there will be no large-scale privatisation of the state sector.
