Highlights from Premier Li's news conference

chinadaily.com.cn
Updated: March 11, 2021
Premier Li Keqiang meets the press via video link after the closing of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 11, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

Premier Li Keqiang met the press on Thursday after the closing of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress.

The premier took questions from Chinese and foreign reporters via video link.

Here are the highlights.

On employment

- Creating jobs still a government priority in 2021 (Read more)

- China aims to add over 11 million urban jobs this year

- Government policies to support business help avert massive unemployment

Premier Li Keqiang meets the press via video link after the closing of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 11, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

On novel coronavirus source tracing

- China open and cooperative about tracing origin of coronavirus, willing to continue work with WHO (Read more)

- Global cooperation needed to end pandemic

On macro economy

- 2021 GDP target reflects uncertainties but allows for potential robust recovery (Read more)

- China will continue support for small businesses (Read more)

- Government to continue cutting expenditures while expanding support for businesses

Premier Li Keqiang meets the press via video link after the closing of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 11, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

On medical insurance

-
China is poised to allow the reimbursement of medical bills for outpatients who receive treatment outside their home provinces (Read more)

On Hong Kong

- The central government will continue to act in accordance with constitution and Basic Law over Hong Kong (Read more)

- Decision on improving Hong Kong electoral system adheres to "one country, two systems" 

- Central government to fully support Hong Kong in economic recovery, epidemic control

Premier Li Keqiang meets the press via video link after the closing of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 11, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

On sci-tech innovation

- China will continue boosting science, technology innovation (Read more)

- Scientists will be given greater autonomy in utilizing funds for research

- China will introduce tax incentives on research and development projects

- China continues to encourage business startups in line with innovation drive

- China needs cooperation among scientists to achieve goals in tech innovation

- China will increase spending on basic research, which is key to enhancing the country's innovation capacity

On China-US relations

- China hopes to continue to see dialogue with US in several areas (Read more)

- International community expects stable China-US ties

- China and the US have common interests

- China, US need to focus energy on cooperation

Premier Li Keqiang meets the press via video link after the closing of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 11, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

On reforms on market entities

- An important part of China's reforms is energizing market entities

- China will keep policies aligned with needs of market entities

- Success of market entities is vital to China's economy

- China will improve regulations for market fairness

- China aims to combat business malpractices

- The government will provide better services to foster business environment (Read more)

On Taiwan

- Our policy toward Taiwan has been clear-cut, consistent (Read more)

- We will continue to promote peaceful development of cross-Straits relations 

- Taiwan political parties, groups welcomed to exchanges with mainland under one-China principle

- Taiwan compatriots welcome to share development opportunities of mainland

Premier Li Keqiang meets the press via video link after the closing of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 11, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

On people's livelihoods

- 2021 fiscal spending will be higher than 2020 (Read more)
 
- Our government is people-centered and must respond to people's needs

- Education, healthcare are a nation's top concerns

- We aim to scale up training for teachers this year

- Improving access to healthcare a key task this year

- Social benefits to be gradually improved

On dual circulation

China implements economy strategy of dual circulation of domestic and foreign markets (Read more)

- RCEP trade deal shows respect and cooperation can overcame differences to promote common interest

- China will continue to reduce the negative list for foreign investment

- China will continue to promote opening up in services 

- A rising domestic market with bigger domestic demand also offers greater opportunities for foreign companies

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