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China s economic blueprint Take five The prime minister lays down how Chinas economyis to look in 2015 GRANDPA WEN, Chinas prime minister, Wen Jiabao, is a hands-on patriarch. In his annualspeech to Chinas National Peoples Congress on March 5th he reflected on the governmentswork over the past year, its priorities for this year, and its new five-year plan, which thecongress must ratify. Like a good guardian, Grandpa Wen neglected no aspect of hiswardslives. On top of the stern duties of safeguarding price stability and national security, Mr Wenpromised to enhance national creativity, enrich philosophy, arouse an innovative spirit,resolutely oppose extravaganceand ensure one hour of physical exercise in schools everyday. The aim of all this enhancing and arousing is, by the end of the decade, to turn China into axiaokang society. The term traces back to the Confucian Book of Songs, and suggests amoderately prosperous society that can begin to enjoy the fruits of its labours. To help China on its way, Mr Wen set a target for economic growth of 7% a year for 2011-15.The figure should not be taken too literally. A target of 7.5% for the past five years did notstop China growing by more than 11% over that period. Still, the target is lower than it was inthe previous plan, suggesting that the pattern of growth now matters as much as the speed. | 
