[Explanation] On March 11, after the closing of the Fourth Session of the 13th National People's Congress, Premier Li Keqiang attended the press conference in the Golden Hall on the third floor of the Great Hall of the People and answered questions from Chinese and foreign journalists.
[Commentary] Li Keqiang said that employment is the foundation of people's livelihood.
In 2021, China will continue to adhere to the policy of giving priority to employment and put employment at the top of the “six stability” and “six guarantees”.
[Concurrent] Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council
Employment can be said to be a big deal for a country and a family.
Employment still has to let the market play the leading role, that is, continue to ensure employment by protecting market players.
On the one hand, it promotes job stabilization and increase, and on the other hand, it expands employment channels.
Flexible employment in China is now on the rise, involving more than 200 million people.
We should give him social security subsidies and provide basic rights protection.
This is also conducive to a more healthy and stable development of the flexible job market.
[Explanation] The GDP growth target for 2021 in the government work report is 6% or more, which has triggered many discussions.
Some think it is positive, and some think it is lower than expected.
Li Keqiang said that walking fast for a while does not necessarily go steady, only walking steady can you walk powerfully.
[Concurrent] Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council
We are not making plans. We are guiding expectations. We hope to guide expectations to consolidate the foundation for economic recovery, promote high-quality development, and maintain sustainability, especially if it is in line with the goals for next year and the next year. Disrupt market expectations.
Last year (2020), we did not engage in easing policies, or so-called quantitative easing, and there is no need for a "swift turn" this year. We still need to maintain policy continuity and sustainability, and focus on stabilizing the economy and promoting the better.
[Explanation] Affected by factors such as the epidemic, some problems in the field of Chinese people's livelihood, such as medical treatment and children's education, have become prominent.
Li Keqiang said that the people's government should regard the people's expectations as the direction of governance.
In 2021, the total government expenditure will be more focused on the broad areas of people's livelihood, especially compulsory education and basic medical care.
[Explanation] In addition, with regard to the issue of when outpatient expenses of social concern can be reimbursed in different places, Li Keqiang said that he must be determined to solve it gradually.
[Concurrent] Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council
This year (2021), we will expand the scope of direct reimbursement of outpatient expenses across provinces. By the end of next year, each county will have to determine a designated medical institution that can directly reimburse medical expenses including outpatient expenses. These elderly people cannot be reimbursed. Worry about this.
[Explanation] Currently, the new crown pneumonia epidemic is still spreading globally.
Li Keqiang said at the meeting that the new crown pneumonia epidemic is a sudden global public health event.
China is willing to continue to work with the WHO to promote scientific traceability work.
[Concurrent] Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council
China and all parties hope to find out where the virus came from as soon as possible. This will help cut off the channel of transmission and prevent and control the epidemic better and more effectively.
However, tracing the source of the epidemic is indeed a complex scientific issue that requires countries to strengthen cooperation and continue research.
Based on the principles and attitude of seeking truth from facts, openness and transparency, and open cooperation, China maintains communication with the WHO and also supports WHO experts to carry out traceability (research) work in China.
In the next step, we are also willing to continue to work with the WHO to promote scientific traceability.
[Explanation] Li Keqiang said that the National People’s Congress made a decision on improving Hong Kong’s electoral system. The decision is clear. It is to uphold and improve the system of "one country, two systems", and always insist on "patriots ruling Hong Kong". It is also to ensure that "one country, two systems" is stable and long .
[Concurrent] Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council
Last year (2020) Hong Kong suffered multiple impacts. We hope that all sectors of Hong Kong can join hands to overcome the epidemic as soon as possible, achieve economic recovery, improve people's livelihood, and maintain Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.
The central government will continue to give full support.
[Explanation] Speaking of Sino-US relations, Li Keqiang pointed out that China-US relations have indeed encountered serious difficulties in the past few years, which have brought adverse effects on both countries and the world.
As the largest developing country and the largest developed country in the world, China and the United States will benefit from cooperation and hurt both by fighting.
The two sides still have to conduct dialogue and communication with each other respecting each other and treating each other as equals.
[Concurrent] Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council
We hope that China and the United States will have multi-domain and multi-level dialogue, and even if consensus cannot be reached at the moment, they can exchange opinions, increase trust and resolve doubts. This is conducive to control and resolution of differences.
China and the United States share broad common interests and there are many areas where they can cooperate.
In the context of multiple shocks last year (2021), the scale of trade between China and the United States still reached $4.1 trillion in imports and exports, an increase of about 8.8%.
We should still focus more on common ground and expand our common interests.
China-US relations should be pushed to look forward over the bumps and move in the direction of overall stability.
Wang Shibo Report from Beijing
Editor in charge: [Chen Haifeng]