The Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao has said China must reverse its widening income gap between rich and poor. He said benefits of a growing economy – expected to expand by 8 per cent this year – should be distributed more fairly. In a major speech at the start of China's annual parliamentary session, the Wen Jiabao also said the economy needed restructuring. In his speech, Mr. Wen reviewed the government's work over the past 12 months and outlined priorities for the coming year. The speech touched on many issues, but on a number of occasions the premier spoke about the need to make China a fairer society. He said fighting corruption must be given a high priority because it has a direct bearing on the Communist Party's grip on power.