Premier voices support for private business

Li joins discussion with members of nation's top political advisory body

Premier Li Keqiang called for steadfast support for development of the nonpublic economy, while offering equal treatment for all enterprises regardless of ownership.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the statement during a group discussion on Monday with some members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Political advisers in the discussion were from the China National Democratic Construction Association, a non-Communist political party in China, and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce. Six CPPCC National Committee members spoke and offered proposals on private businesses, poverty alleviation, technological innovation and integration of the internet with administrative procedures.

China has around 90 million private businesses, which are key to boosting development and increasing jobs, Li said. According to the State Administration for Market Regulation, China has 110 million market entities, including 34.74 million enterprises. Last year, 6.7 million new enterprises were registered.

The association and federation have many private businesspeople, Li said. He said efforts should be made to help overcome difficulties for private businesses.

Facing a complex domestic and international situation last year, China achieved stable economic development and made steady progress under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, Li said, adding that CPPCC National Committee members made contributions.

The country should adhere to stable development this year as it pursues progress, and should coordinate endeavors to boost economic growth and restructuring, push forward reforms, improve people's livelihoods and guard against risks, Li said.

Reform and opening-up should be furthered to stimulate market vitality and withstand downward economic pressure to keep the economy within a reasonable range, he added.

Innovation should be further boosted to achieve high-quality development, while key issues concerning people's livelihoods should be addressed, Li said.

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－also joined discussions on Monday.