BEIJING -- Chinese Vice-Premier Han Zheng on Tuesday stressed the basic approach of "seeking progress while maintaining stability" to ensure the steady development of the economy and society.

Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while attending a meeting at the National Development and Reform Commission to study and plan work in the fourth quarter of this year and early next year.

He called for further research on macro policies and cross-cycle adjustments to macro policies in a bid to make plans for next year's work.

He highlighted the safe and stable supply of electricity for this winter and next spring through better planning and coordination.

The capacity of coal output should be expanded, taking into consideration safety and environmental protection requirements, while coal hoarding and speculation activities should be curbed effectively, he said.