BEIJING, Oct 22, 2007 (AFP) - During his first term, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao polished his image as a man concerned with the ordinary person as he sought to put a kinder, gentler face on the communist leadership.

With his re-election on Monday to the powerful Communist Party's Politburo Standing Committee, Wen, 65, is now highly likely to be given a second term as prime minister when parliament meets in March next year.

BEIJING, Oct 22, 2007 (AFP) - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was on Monday named in the ruling Communist Party's most powerful decision making body, indicating he will likely serve as prime minister for another five years.

Wen, 65, held his place as China's officially third most powerful figure behind President Hu Jintao and parliamentary head Wu Bangguo in the party's new Politburo Standing Committee.

The new leadership team appeared before the press.

BEIJING, Sept 6, 2007 (AFP) - China must promote political reform and democracy or its economic reforms will be in vain, Premier Wen Jiabao said Thursday in a speech just weeks before a pivotal Communist Party gathering.

China will 'continue to push political system reform, expand the people's democracy, strengthen the rule of law and promote the principle of a fair society,' Wen said in a speech at the World Economic Forum meeting in Dalian, northeast China.

BEIJING, July 25, 2007 (AFP) - China on Wednesday passed a draft law that demands strengthened quality standards and supervision of food amid the recent spate of safety scandals surrounding Chinese products.

The draft regulation, issued on the government`s website following a meeting of China`s cabinet attended by Premier Wen Jiabao, promised to improve safety standards.

The draft stated it would 'strictly regulate producers, strengthen the monitoring and responsibility of local governments and also increase the punishment for violations.'