Li stresses key role of consumption

Consolidate recovery

Li said local authorities must shore up confidence, conduct in-depth analysis of problems and difficulties and consolidate the momentum of economic recovery.

He said tax cuts and fee reductions, a key pillar of the aid packages for businesses, remained crucial to sustaining economic recovery.

The government must ensure that the newly increased deficits and special bonds for COVID-19 control, which totaled 2 trillion yuan ($296 billion), can be used in a more targeted manner and directly benefit market players, he said.

Governments at various levels, meanwhile, must tighten their belts and refrain from launching sweeping campaigns to collect overdue taxes or levying arbitrary charges on business, he added.

The coverage of inclusive finance must be expanded to offer more effective financial services for smaller firms and struggling sectors, the premier said.

Li underlined the significance of advancing reform and opening-up and improving the business environment to stimulate market vitality and social creativity, saying that economic resilience and vitality can only be harnessed with the development of new market players.

He called for steps to guarantee that retirement pensions can be issued in full and on time and to ensure that social security policies safeguard the living standards of groups hit hard by the pandemic and summer floods.