BEIJING - China's central government on Wednesday discussed and deployed policies and measures to accelerate the development of Inner Mongolia, highlighting improvement of people's livelihoods and social stability.

An executive meeting of the State Council presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao urged to further boost the sound and rapid development of Inner Mongolia by adjusting its economic growth mode, improving the standard of living, conserving resources, protecting the environment, and promoting national unity and social stability.

By 2020, the income of urban and rural residents in Inner Mongolia, one of China's five ethnic autonomous regions, should surpass the national average, according to a statement released after the meeting.

Further, the main ecological system should be brought within balance by 2020.

The government would strive to curb the deteriorating trend of the region's ecological environment by 2015. Also, the region's comprehensive economic power should be enhanced and the production and living conditions of farmers and herders should markedly improved, it said.