BEIJING — State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi urged efforts to safeguard economic development and social stability, stressing solid work to prevent risks and ensure security.

Zhao made the remarks on May 9 at a teleconference with public security organs across the country, demanding a secure and stable environment for the country to achieve the goals of eradicating poverty and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

Zhao noted that efforts should be focused on ensuring stable performance in employment, finance, foreign trade, foreign investment, domestic investment and market expectation, as well as safeguarding jobs, livelihoods, market entities, food and energy security, the stability of industrial and supply chains, and the smooth running of communities.

He also called for maintaining strict discipline over the police and fulfilling the security duties during the upcoming two sessions — the annual sessions of the country's top political advisory body and the top legislature.