Premier Wen Jiabao chatted online with netizens, answering a wide range of questions including housing prices and the economy. The discussion was jointly hosted by the websites of gov.cn and xinhuanet.com. The Premier says he uses the Internet often to listen to public opinion and suggestions. Tens of thousands of questions for Premier Wen Jiabao were submitted. Key topics included rising housing prices, the widening wealth gap, employment, education, medicare and corruption. The Premier says he cherishes the opportunity. 

    Wen Jiabao, Chinese Premier, said, "I may not answer the questions completely nor solve the problems of everybody, but it gives me a chance to get help from the people. Public opinion is important to value the effectiveness of policies. I don't feel nervous about the chat." The top complaint from Internet users was property prices going beyond affordability. Premier Wen Jiabao pledged to tame the "wild horse" of the country's soaring housing market and to keep prices at a reasonable level. He said one of the steps is to increase the number of houses for low-income earners, and said that more than 3 million homes will be built this year. On the issue of employment, Premier Wen said China still faces serious challenges, despite the recent labor shortages in the booming cities around China's coastal areas. He said the Central government wanted to encourage students to move to less-developed areas of China, especially its western regions. Premier Wen added that there are a series of preferential policies for students who are willing to make the move. Wen Jiabao vowed to prevent inflation with a firm stance on maintaining the government's moderately loose monetary policy. He also said that China's economic stimulus plan has worked well. The rebound of China's economy has boosted the government's confidence in maintaining a stable policy of comparatively fast economic growth while controlling consumer prices to a reasonable level.