China's State Council discusses draft govt work report

BEIJING - China's State Council on Wednesday convened a plenary meeting to discuss a draft government work report.

The document will be deliberated at the top legislature's annual session in March.

The meeting, presided over by Premier Li Keqiang, decided to distribute the draft report to local governments and relevant departments of the central government to solicit opinions.

Despite multiple risks and challenges, China has overcome difficulties and made a series of major achievements, with its economic growth last year in the leading positions among major economies, Li said.

The premier highlighted the hard-won achievements made over the past year as China met the main goals and tasks of economic and social development, calling for efforts to develop a better understanding of the problems and challenges faced by the country.

Noting that the Chinese economy is facing new downward pressure and increasing uncertainties, Li stressed giving higher priority to stabilizing growth and sticking to the basic tone of seeking progress while maintaining stability.

The premier called for coordinating epidemic control and socio-economic development, strengthening cross-cyclical adjustments, stepping up the implementation of macro-policies markedly, and introducing more measures that are conducive to boosting effective demand, securing supplies and stabilizing market expectations.

Solid work should be carried out in the first quarter to ensure a good start for the year, according to Li.

He urged authorities at all levels to enhance support for enterprises, especially the medium, small and micro firms and individual businesses, to provide policy support for sectors that create lots of jobs but are hit hard by the epidemic, and to advance the progress of major projects.

Efforts should also be made to expand effective demand and employment, as well as to improve the market adjustments and guarantee the transportation of coal, electricity, oil and gas, said the premier.