Beijing: Bowing out of office next month after a decade long stint in power, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao today said that while the country has made great achievements during his tenure, it was not "perfect enough" as some policies caused "discontent".
He sought people`s forgiveness for the mistakes.
"Great achievements have been made in the country`s reform and development over the last ten years, but there are also occasions that has caused some discontent," Wen said while interacting with people here.
"I feel responsible for the imperfections," the official media quoted him as saying.
"Over the recent years, I have been working for the good of the people and made some accomplishments, but that was not enough to repay the kindness from the people. I have done my best, but still feel that I did not make it perfect enough," he said.
"I feel sorry and often blame myself for the imperfections in the government`s work, and I hope you can forgive me for that", he added.
Known as Grandpa Wen for his amiability and quick visits to the spots struck by natural disasters, the image of the Chinese Premier took a hit after recent reports by New York Times alleged that his family has accumulated USD 2.7 billion worth of assets, mainly by his geologist wife Zhang Beili who ran a successful diamond business.
Wen denied the allegations and sought an investigation by the ruling Communist Party for investigations.
He along with President Hu Jintao will be formally stepping down next month for the new leadership headed by Xi Jinping to take power.
Wen is slated to be succeeded by Vice Premier and number two leader of the present party hierarchy, Li Keqiang.
In his meeting with public today, Wen listened to residents` opinions on government work faced some stiff questions on various issues including ethnic affairs, education and grassroots healthcare.
Niujie Street, where the meeting took place is an area largely inhabited by people of the Muslim Hui ethnic group.
When talking about issues on ethnic affairs, Wen stressed that the focus of the government`s work in this regard is efforts to ensure ethnic equality and religious freedom as well as to respect customs and folkways of various groups.
He also said that he is concerned about the price of lamb and beef, which are major meats for Hui ethnic people, who are Muslims.
The price of such food went up due to increased demand, and the government will work to help low-income people in the Hui group, he said.
After listening to a retired teacher`s criticism about the increasing burden on students, the premier admitted that the country`s efforts to promote their all-round development are unsatisfactory, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The mounting pressure of schoolwork is exhausting not only for students but also their parents, Wen said.
He also noted the imbalance in the distribution of good education resources, resulting in students having to scramble and pay exorbitant fees for a good school`s admittance.
He admitted the problems in the talent pool of high-quality teachers and the treatment of them.
Wen also talked with residents about matters regarding community work, the rights of disabled people, pollution control and prevention and affordable housing construction
PTI
