Premier Li says growth will get push

Premier Li Keqiang takes part in a discussion on March 4, 2015 with members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference who are experts on economics and agriculture and are attending the third session of the 12th CPPCC National Committee.[Photo/Xinhua]

Premier and economy representatives meet

The Chinese government has noted the austere circumstances of the economy and will overcome difficulties with more pro-growth policy, Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday, ahead of a keynote speech to give the economic outlook for the year ahead.

Li said the Chinese economy performed "pretty well" last year, which he described as a "hard-won accomplishment". He made the comments during a meeting with members of the economy and agriculture groups of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body.

As the premier is due to deliver the Government Work Report on Thursday to map out the government's social and economic development targets for this year, experts said his visit to the economy group shows that economic development is the government's priority this year.

In a two-hour, closed-door discussion with the CPPCC National Committee, Li listened to seven representatives' speeches, briefly commented, and then gave a wrap-up speech.

The premier did not answer reporters' questions after the meeting. However, he did greet everyone by saying, "Happy Lantern Festival", marking the traditional Chinese holiday that will fall on Thursday this year.

As he joined the group discussion of CPPCC members, Li also pledged to fully implement the "Four Comprehensives" strategic blueprint in order to realize economic and social development targets.

The "Four Comprehensives" refers to a political concept, initiated by President Xi Jinping, that comprises "comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society, comprehensively deepening reform, comprehensively advancing the rule of law, and comprehensively strictly governing the Communist Party of China".