Premier: Curbing inflation tops govt agenda

Premier Wen Jiabao meets the press after the closing meeting of the Fourth Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing March 14. [Photo/Xinhua] 

BEIJING - China will step up efforts to improve people's livelihoods through holding down inflation, increasing affordable housing and raising farmers' incomes, Premier Wen Jiabao said on Monday.

Inflation will top the government's agenda this year, Wen said.

"Inflation is like a tiger; once it gets free, it is difficult to put it back in the cage," he said at the news conference at the closing of the annual National People's Congress session.