At the fifth plenary meeting of the State Council presided by Premier Li Keqiang on Jan 22, drafts of the government work report and the 13th Five-Year Plan were discussed. It was decided that the drafts will be sent to every province and related ministries for feedback. The final version will be submitted at the Fourth Session of the 12th National People’s Congress (NPC), which will be convened in Beijing on March 5.

Premier Li introduced that it is the duty of the State Council to report its work to the NPC, and also an important way to be supervised by the people. The central government seeks advice from various circles of the society to make the report and plan reflecting what the people expect, and the government’s decision more practical.

[Photo/China News Service]

The Premier said China faced many difficult challenges in the past year. Yet the year’s general goal was accomplished. The economy operated in a reasonable range, structural adjustment and new driving force were developed and people’s living standards improved. After five years of effort, the major goal of the 12th Five-Year Plan was achieved.

Premier Li said that China will meet more opportunities and challenges in the next five years. The government should always put development first, implement the idea of innovation, coordination, green, open and share.

[Photo/China News Service]

Year 2016 is the first year of the 13th Five-Year Plan. Premier Li stressed the uncertainty of the global economic trend and the difficulty of achieving the goal of the year. Economic adjustment should be continued, different policies should be planned as a whole to create a stable environment for economic development. Regarding weaknesses; more work should be done in industrial efficiency, imports and exports, investment and the reform of state-owned enterprises. The government will also be alert for potential risks and respond to social concerns.

There are always more solutions than difficulties, the Premier said. Ministries of the State Council should be aware of the unexpected; but more importantly - they should be confident, Premier Li said.

Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli, Liu Yandong, Wang Yang, Ma Kai, State Councilor Yang Jing, and Chang Wanquan also attended the meeting.

[Photo/China News Service]