国内英语新闻:State councilor on reform of government-financed institutions

BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State-Councilor Ma Kai has called for pushing forward reform of government-financed institutions in "an active and steady manner."

"Make reform a driving force for boosting the development of these institutions in a scientific way," said the councilor, who also serves as the secretary-general of the cabinet, at Friday's inauguration of the Spring Semester of the Chinese Academy of Governance and concurrently the opening of a special workshop on reform of government-financed institutions.

The workshop is focused on the reform of these nongovernmental institutions, which are funded by governments of different levels and mostly engaged in educational, scientific and technological research, cultural and medical fields.

Last March, the central government issued a blueprint on reform of government-financed institutions, a move described as a new, strategic step by the official.

These institutions should be reformed in accordance with the realities of different areas and categories, he said, noting that the government should play a leading role, while nongovernmental forces will be encouraged to participate.