"If the public depends too much on the welfare system rather than on their own efforts, they are unlikely to feel very happy."

Finance Minister Lou Jiwei said in an article in the latest edition of Caixin Media's Century Weekly news magazine. He said that the government should respect and safeguard the market-oriented economy rather than meddle in economic affairs. However, an online survey by Sina.com on Tuesday said that about 70 percent of netizens think that the public's happiness is related to the effectiveness of the country's welfare system.