China vows new measures to help poor

With capitalist-style reforms topping his agenda, China’s premier opened its legislature today by vowing more action to help the poor and thrust the economy forward – including cutting taxes for farmers and streamlining regulations for entrepreneurs.

Wen Jiabao also promised a beefed-up military and said there would be no compromise on Taiwan, a self-ruling island that China says is part of its territory and has threatened to retake by force.