Premier Wen Jiabao's latest pledge to narrow the income gap comes at the most appropriate time. Highlights of Wen's report

China has invested 654.5 billion yuan ($96.3 billion) for rebuilding the areas worst hit by a devastating earthquake in 2008, or 65.5 percent of the total planned investment, Premier Wen Jiabao said Friday.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao set forth an ambitious plan Friday for the country to mount the commanding height of science and technological innovation, such as in the field of Internet of Things and new energy-powered vehicles.

China intensified industrial restructuring in 2009 in an effort to optimize economic structure and lay a sound foundation for long-term development, Premier Wen Jiabao said at the parliament's annual session Friday.

Multinational businesses are encouraged to set up regional headquarters and functional agencies in China and enhance cooperation of technology research and development, Premier Wen Jiabao said in a government work report to the parliament's annual session Friday.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Friday that some officials are "divorced from reality and the masses," and are "excessively formalistic and bureaucratic."

A country can not become strong or prosperous if it does not make education universal and improve its quality, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Friday.

Premier Wen Jiabao said Friday China will continue to reform its cultural system and encourage cultural innovation.

China will draw up policies this year to boost the development in Xinjiang and Tibet as well as other Tibetan-inhabited areas, Premier Wen Jiabao said Friday.

China will keep a steady development of agriculture and a continuous increase in rural incomes, said Premier Wen Jiabao while speaking at the opening of the parliament's annual session Friday.