Wen Jiabao has said the country will maintain the fast and steady pace of economic development despite the challenges from home and abroad this year.

　　Wen's remarks came during his three-day trip to eastern Jiangsu province and Shanghai from Friday to yesterday, where he met with local officials, farmers and entrepreneurs.

　　The country's economy is developing in the expected direction after overcoming challenges from home and abroad, he said.

　　Wen urged governments at all levels to improve macroeconomic controls further and optimize the economic structure to avoid serious fluctuations in the economy.

　　Fighting inflation is still one of the major tasks, he said, and governments should try to make price rise "acceptable" both for the industries and the public.

　　Wen called for more efforts to protect arable land to ensure food security and more steps to create jobs for low-income families and college graduates.

　　He asked the Jiangsu provincial government to coordinate development of its relatively backward northern part and the prosperous southern region.

　　And he urged the Shanghai municipal government to boost the growth of the service industry, with focus on turning it into an important international finance and shipping center.