On several occasions, Zhang reiterated that getting college graduates employed was a key task and efforts should also be made to help migrant workers from rural areas and disadvantaged groups to find jobs.

Based on extensive research, the State Council introduced a series of policies and measures to promote employment.

Meanwhile, Zhang put special emphasis on vocational training for laborers.

"An entire household could be lifted out of poverty with one family member finishing schooling or getting employed," he said.

Zhang advocated the building of a modern and life-long education system as well as a vocational training system covering all laborers so as to tap human resources in a comprehensive way.

Zhang has attached great importance to the development of the private economy and stressed the importance of a sound policy environment for the sector's development.

"This is not a makeshift plan. Instead, it is a strategic policy," he said.

"The private economy will grow vigorously as long as we provide it with suitable soil and sunshine," he said.

When he worked at the State Council, Zhang actively pushed for building a new-type rural pension system and a pension system for urban residents. Now, the systems cover almost all parts of China.

In addition, when he served as Party secretary of Guangdong, between 2002 and 2007, he was very concerned about the development of the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao.

While participating in discussions with NPC deputies from Hong Kong and Macao on March 7, Zhang acknowledged the great achievements made based on the successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" policy since the two regions returned to the motherland.

On March 8, he reiterated the need to strengthen the cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao while participating in a panel discussion with lawmakers from Guangdong Province.

When he served as Guangdong's Party chief, Zhang put forth a creative plan to boost cooperation in the Pan-Pearl River Delta region, which strengthened economic links among nine provincial-level regions on the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and Macao.

"CPC members should foster an image of clean governance, love of the people, pragmatism, plain living, hard work and perseverance," he once wrote in an article.

This is also Zhang's expectation for and portrayal of himself.