The second is to industrialize agriculture. Large-scale farming and agricultural mechanization needs to be introduced – which will inevitably lead to the number of people directly involved in agriculture declining.

Zhang said that her own factories in the Pearl River Delta had managed to avoid deep job cuts by reducing working hours and work sharing schemes.

Financial crisis early-warning system

At last year's CPPCC session, Zhang proposed the setting up of a committee to act as a financial crisis early-warning system.

"There was a positive response to my proposal," said Zhang, "but it is taking time to implement."

"We need to include the voices of the public in the early-warning mechanism. The government is more policy oriented."

More support for exporters

The government needs to give additional aid to exporters facing severe difficulties due to the financial turmoil, said Zhang.

"Financial support is necessary. Value-added tax on exports should be abolished in accordance with WTO rules."

Zhang said stable development of export enterprises can stimulate the domestic demand for labor and raw materials and promote growth in production and processing industries.

(China.org.cn March 11, 2009)