Xi demands priority on advancing supply-side reform

BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping urged local authorities on Friday to prioritize supply-side reform, boosting confidence in economic restructuring.

More should be done to accelerate reform at state-owned enterprises; the financial and fiscal sectors; as well as pricing and social security systems, according to a statement released after a meeting of the Central Leading Group for Deepening Overall Reform chaired by Xi.

All departments should identify any problems and draft accurate approaches, Xi told the meeting.

Given continued economic headwinds and ambitious growth targets, China understands the role supply-side reform will play in releasing new sources of growth and increase economic efficiency.

Proposed by policymakers in November, this new economic strategy was designed to facilitate restructuring and prop up growth

Pushing supply-side reform is testament to the country's commitment to reform, the statement said.

"Reform will cause pain, but without reform, the pain will be more long-lasting," it added.

Xi called on local authorities to be more reform-minded and ensure the timely implementation of reform.