China's President Hu Jintao has urged government officials to "put people first" when developing new safe production methods to boost the nation's economy.

Xinhua reports that Hu made the remarks during a meeting this week of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau.

Hu said that economic progress could not be achieved by sacrificing people's well-being or the environment.

Hu said better regulations should be promulgated along with more inspections of work areas.