Highlights from Premier Li's news conference

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets reporters at home and abroad at a news conference on Monday at the end of the annual meeting of the National People’s Congress.

Here are the highlights:

On new government’s focus

– People’s aspirations for a better life is the ultimate goal

– China to focus on promoting high-quality development

– China to continue to deepen reform, opening up

On economy

– Reaching 2023 GDP growth target requires redoubled efforts

– Fully confident in China’s economic outlook

– Institutional strength is an advantage for China’s economic development

On Hong Kong & Macao

– The Central Government will fully implement the policy of One Country, Two Systems

On private sector

– China will continue to support private enterprises according to market-based, law-based standards

– China’s private enterprises to enjoy better environment, broader space for development

On employment

– China will continue to pursue an employment-first strategy and increase government support to boost employment

– Rich supply of human resources remains China’s notable strength

On COVID-19

– China’s COVID-19 response completely right, highly effective

– We have adjusted and improved our COVID response measures, medical services will be strengthened

On Taiwan

– Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are members of one family

– Early restoration of normal exchanges across Straits requires joint efforts

On rural vitalization, food security

– We will focus on economic, ecological, social and cultural values in promoting rural revitalization

– China’s food security well guaranteed

On China-US relation

– China-US consensus needs to be translated into policies, actions

– China, US can, must cooperate

Courtesy: Xinhua