China to Further Expand Consumption in 2010: NDRC Spokesman

BEIJING, Mar. 9 -- China will continue to follow public demand to improve living standards and expand consumption in 2010, said Li Pumin, spokesman with the National Development and Reform Commission, Sunday.

Policies to subsidize rural households to buy home appliances, automobiles and motors will be boosted in 2010, said Li in an on-line interview with the central government website www.gov.cn.

Home appliances replacement policies will be prolonged to the end of 2010, he said.

More work will be done to adjust national income distribution pattern, improve peasants' income and raise basic pension for the retirees, he said.

China will continue to regulate property market and check soaring real estate prices in certain cities, he said.