China will never deviate from the course of reform, spokesman says

China has set a clear direction for advancing reform and "will never deviate from this course", Tuo Zhen, spokesman for the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, said on Tuesday.

Tuo made the comment at a press conference about the upcoming National Congress in response to being asked about the various reforms being advanced in the country.

"Reform is an ongoing process, and there is never an end (in the pursuit of the reform)," Tuo said.

China is firm in taking reform forward and will not slow its pace, he added.

The 19th CPC National Congress will be held in Beijing from Wednesday until Oct 24.

Tuo said it will facilitate strategic deployment for reform and development during the coming five years, and beyond, allow for the planning and advancement of reform at a higher starting point and will unswervingly carry reform forward to the end.

Tuo noted that the Central Leading Group for Deepening Overall Reform was established and headed by Xi Jinping, general secretary of CPC Central Committee.

Xi has made plans for and guided the reform, and has chaired 38 meetings of the Leading Group, Tuo said.

A range of symbolic, guiding key measures for reform was introduced and enacted, and the overall framework for reform has been basically established, Tuo added.

The range of influence, plans introduced, interests covered, and efforts made have been "unprecedented", and many longstanding issues have been resolved, said Tuo.

Speaking about any remaining difficulties for the advancement of reforms, the spokesman noted that there are still many hard nuts to crack in comprehensively deepening reform, such as limitations upon thinking, entrenched interests, and systematic and institutional barriers.

Tuo said there is, therefore, a need to work on priorities, overcome difficulties, and focus on implementation, so that reform will truly serve the need of development and meet the aspirations of the people.