BEIJING — Premier Li Keqiang on March 15 called for a “full stop” to hard-landing predictions on the Chinese economy, saying the country is capable of maintaining medium-high growth for a long time to come.

“China’s economic performance in the past few years should suffice to put predictions of a hard landing to a full stop,” Premier Li said at a press conference following the conclusion of the annual legislative session.

Instead of resorting to massive stimulus, China has innovated macro-control approaches, upgraded industrial and consuming patterns and fostered new growth sources to keep the economic running in a proper range, Premier Li said.

More importantly, China has created over 50 million urban new jobs in the past four years, Premier Li noted.

For the long run, China’s economy will continue to enjoy medium-high growth and be upgraded to higher levels, he added.

The Premier also admitted the challenges and difficulties in deepening reforms, vowing to further streamline government administration to curb “arbitrary use” of power.