According to an official release, meeting participants agreed on the importance of deepening reform of the country's grain sales system, lifting restrictions on grain purchases and offering direct subsidies to grain growers.

But the release did not go into detail on grain market liberalization, saying efforts are needed to ensure grain price stability in the process of market reform.

The moves are designed to encourage grain production and ensure grain market stability.

At present, state-owned grain companies maintain a monopoly over grain markets.

A draft regulation on promotion of private education was also passed at the meeting and will be made public by the State Council at an unspecified time.

(Xinhua News Agency February 26, 2004)