Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi asked officials to make greater efforts to address issues concerning women and children to better achieve balanced social and economic development.

Wu made the appeal on Wednesday at a conference in Beijing held by the Women and Children's Work Committee of the State Council.

In 2001, the State Council issued ten-year guidelines on the development of Chinese women and children.

"Mid-term assessment shows that generally the guidelines have been well carried out," Wu said.

Currently, 28 out of 45 measurable goals in the women's guideline and 30 out of 50 goals to improve the lives of children have been achieved, Wu said.

Wu said greater efforts should be made in poverty-stricken rural areas, and regions inhabited by ethnic minorities, where issues such as women's health and employment, childbirth safety, human trafficking, and juvenile delinquency remain.

(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2007)