Chinese Premier Li Keqiang gives a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 20, 2018. (Photo: China News Service/Hou Yu)
Premier Li Keqiang met the press after the closing session of the National People's Congress on Tuesday morning.[Special Coverage]
Here are the highlights from the press conference:
On China's reform and opening up in new era
China will open even wider to the rest of the world, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday.
Chinese economy is so integrated into the global economy that closing the doors would only block China's own way, he said at a press conference after the conclusion of the annual legislative session. (more)
On transformation of government function
Premier Li pledged that the government will further cut the red tape and further streamline the accession process to the market.
He stressed that it is a must to undertake strong reform measures as "small steps are critical to achieving a bigger policy goal."
To improve business environment, the government will cut the time it takes for opening business for another half, reduce the time required for reviewing a project application and put in the national place a platform for accessing government services, he detailed.
Other measures includes to let people get things done in one place without a need for a second trip and to ensure that any requirement for certification that has no basis in law or regulation will be abolished, Li told reporters.
On Korean Peninsula issues
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday that China will make utmost efforts to facilitate denuclearization and peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula. (more)
On private enterprises' skepticism
Noting some skepticism from private enterprises, Li Keqiang stressed that businesses of all types of ownership have all made their contributions to china's economic growth since reform and opening up.
"Private investment has been relatively weak, but we have paid high attention to this problem," Li said.
Li said that the rural land contracts will be extended for another 30 years and more measures will be taken to protect legal property rights by law.
On criticism over China's economic strategies
Premier Li said China will never seek expansion and follow the footsteps of big powers which sought hegemony once they grew strong.
""In some areas, international community may hope that China will play a greater role, but China will fulfill is due international responsibilities that is commensurate with its status as a large developing country," Li said, "It will be a misunderstanding to interpret China playing such role as seek strategic expansion."
On employment concerns
In a question about employment, the premier said the government is targeting to generate around 13 million new jobs in 2018.
In 2018, China sees a record-high of 8.2 million college graduates, five million graduates of secondary vocational schools and one million demobilized military personnel and workers affected by overcapacity cuts, Li told reporters.
On China-U.S. trade relations
"No winners will emerge in a trade war," said Premier Li when answering a question on China's measures in case of trade war between Beijing and Washington.
Li maintained that China will firmly protect intellectual property rights, and expressed hope that the U.S. will ease restrictions on exports of high-value added goods to China and seek balanced China-U.S. trade.(more)
On systematic financial risks
Li said China is capable of forestalling systemic financial risks, ruling out the possibility of such risks in the country.
"The fundamentals of the Chinese economy are sound and the financial sector is stable," Li told the press conference. (more)
On China-Russia relations
China and Russia are each other's biggest neighbors, Premier Li said, adding that the stable and friendly development of bilateral relations is beneficial to both countries and to the world.
On cross-Strait relations
China should not tolerate any external forces using Taiwan as a card to cause difficulties for the cross-Strait relations, Li said, adding that continuous efforts will be made to pursue the peaceful development of ties.
"We should ensure fellow countrymen and women from Taiwan will be able to enjoy the same treatment as mainlanders when they come to work and study in the mainland, because we are members of the same family," he said.
On health care issues
Li said China improved its basic health care system over the past years, but some families still fall through the safety net.
The government will take measures to better serve those with serious diseases which can push families back into poverty, Li said.
On China-Japan relations
Premier Li said he is actively considering paying an official visit to Japan when he attends the China-Japan-ROK leaders' meeting in the country later this year.(more)
On 'Internet Plus'
The Internet Plus model has played a very important role in ensuring the stable growth of China's economy "like a new sail being installed on the big ship of China's economy, riding the wave of a new round of global technological innovation," adding the model has profoundly changed China.
The government will adopt a prudent and an accommodating approach in exercising regulations on new systems, Li said. More measures will be taken, such as create favorable conditions for some internet markets listed overseas to return to the A-share markets.
On Hong Kong SAR
Li Keqiang said it is fundamental to uphold the "One Country, Two Systems" principle in boosting the cooperation between Hong Kong SAR and Chinese mainland, when addressing to the question whether economic integration will blur the "Two Systems".
Li said the central government adheres to "One Country, Two Systems" in Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions and to the principles of "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and "Macao people administering Macao".
On old-age pension
Li said China is capable to pay old-age pensions timely and in full despite of difficulties in some provinces and the central government will continue their reform to ensure the adequate support for pension payment.
