At the Executive Meeting of the State Council on Wednesday, Wen said this year's graduates were the first to experience China's reforms in increasing recruitment in universities and colleges, which meant the number of college graduates would be much greater this year than usual.

Their future employment would influence not only the interests of over two million college graduates, but also influence the reform and development of higher education and social stability, Wen said.

He urged all sectors of society to create more job opportunities for these graduates, and encouraged the graduates themselves to start their own businesses where local employment opportunities were limited.

The meeting also discussed a draft ordinance on real estate management, which aimed to protect the legal rights and interests of property owners and realty management enterprises.

The regulation was also believed to be necessary for improving people's living and working environment.

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2003)