China will accelerate the reform of its administrative system in a bid to improve government efficiency and performance, said Chinese State Councilor Hua Jianmin.

Hua, also secretary general of the State Council, made the remarks in Beijing on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the 4th China-Europe Senior Forum on Government Management.

The Chinese government has always attached great importance to the improvement of its performance, he said.

He noted that the Chinese government had made obvious progress in transforming the way it governs the country, such as making the switch from a planned to a market economy, streamlining the government structure, ensuring social management on the basis of law and making government affairs public.

"A more efficient government will better serve the sustainable development of Chinese society and continue to satisfy people's surging demand," he said.

Hua, also president of the China National School of Administration, said the annual China-Europe Senior Forum on Government Management was initiated in 2004 and had exerted positive impact on bilateral ties.

The forum this year attracted more than 300 government officials and experts from 10 countries and regions around the world.

The three-day forum will focus on topics such as reform of the public sector, governing in accordance with law, government performance and management, and government accountability.

(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2007)