Reforms are on way, premier tells groups

China is ready to introduce more efforts toward reform and opening-up to achieve high-quality growth, and supply-side reforms will be further promoted in rural areas by nurturing new growth drivers, Premier Li Keqiang said on Sunday.

Li made the remarks while participating in a joint session of the elected members of the economy and agriculture groups of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the top political advisory body.

It was the sixth consecutive year of Li’s participation in the joint group discussion with economy and agriculture groups of the CPPCC during the two sessions.

Seven members from the two groups shared with the premier their thoughts on further reducing institutional costs, deepening reform, realizing high-quality growth, further adjusting to the development of artificial intelligence technology and optimizing food security policies.

Under the leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, with Xi Jinping as the core, China has achieved enormous economic growth over the past five years against a backdrop of international uncertainty and complexity, and has seen stable and improving economic

growth while overcoming great difficulties, Li said.

“New economic drivers are now supporting China’s economy more than expected and have also contributed greatly to employment,” Li said at the meeting, noting that consumption has remained a major economic driver for the past five years.

Such achievements cannot be realized without the united efforts of all Chinese people, including members of the CPPCC, Li said, expressing his gratitude to the members.

He said the government will fully implement the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and further carry out innovation, reform and opening-up to achieve highquality growth this year.

Noting that the country’s endeavors in structural reform have seen tangible results, Li said the government will introduce more efforts to optimize the business environment, further boost market vitality and social creativity and boost the develop- ment of new industries.

Liu Shangxi, head of the Chinese Academy of Fiscal Sciences, shared suggestions with the premier on accelerating reforms and reducing institutional costs, especially for businesses.

Li Chenggui, president of the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, suggested that ideas and policies regarding food security need to be further adjusted, along with boosting market-oriented reforms in agriculture, including increases to farmers’ incomes.

The government will carry out a rural vitalization strategy, improve agriculture competitiveness through technology upgrades and increase farmers’ income, while the purchasing and storage mechanism of key agricultural products will be further improved this year, Premier Li said.

Also on Sunday, five other members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee — Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng — joined discussions with different groups of CPPCC members.