李克强同志逝世！120分钟回顾总理的最后一场中外记者会：困难挑战依然众多，我们会用实干践行承诺！（附视频&双语稿）

2022年11日上午，十三届全国人大五次会议在人民大会堂举行记者会，国务院总理李克强应大会发言人张业遂的邀请出席记者会，并回答中外记者提问。

The Fifth Session of the 13th National People’s Congress held a press conference at the Great Hall of the People on the afternoon of March 11, 2022. Premier Li Keqiang met with Chinese and foreign reporters and answered their questions at the invitation of Spokesperson Mr. Zhang Yesui. 

记者会开始时，李克强说，感谢记者朋友们在中国两会期间为报道所作的努力、付出的辛劳。因为疫情关系，我们继续以视频连线的方式开记者会。我愿意回答记者朋友们提出的问题。

In his opening remarks, Premier Li Keqiang said that he was delighted to meet friends from the media and thanked the journalists for their hard work in covering China’s NPC and CPPCC Sessions. He noted that due to COVID-19 the press conference was again held via video link this year and then opened the floor for questions.

美联社记者：中国经济正在逐渐从高速增长向着可持续的、公平的以及绿色的增长转型，我们看到去年中国政府采取了一系列措施降低债务水平、监管高技术企业。今年中国政府制定了不少经济学家认为是颇具雄心的5.5%的增速目标，这是在面临新冠肺炎疫情继续蔓延以及乌克兰冲突的情况下制定的目标。我想问的是，这是否意味着中国政府今年将更加重视增长？把增长摆在结构性改革以及减少碳排放之前？中国政府将如何平衡这些不同的发展目标？关于乌克兰问题，中国与欧洲的重要经贸关系在中国应对此危机中处于什么位置？中国是否担心会因为目前对于危机的处理影响到与欧洲的良好关系，甚至影响中国自身经济的发展？

Associated Press: I want to get your thoughts on the economic challenges China faces as it transitions from a high-growth era to a more sustainable, equitable and green growth. In the past year, the government has taken steps to reduce debt in the real estate market and regulate the digital economy. At the same time, the government has set a 5.5 percent growth target that many economists see as ambitious given the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Does this signal that China may make short-term adjustments this year that favor economic growth over a structural change and reducing carbon emissions? How does China balance the two? And specifically on Ukraine, how do China’s important trading relationships with Europe and the US factor into the government’s response to the crisis? Are you concerned that China’s support for Russia could harm those relationships and then in turn the Chinese economy itself?

李克强：你提到中国的经济增速，去年我们经济总量已经达到110多万亿元人民币，继续增长可以说是在高基数上的增长。从世界范围来看，这么大的经济体要保持中高速增长，本身就是很大的难题。刚才你提到我们今年确定5.5%左右的经济增长目标是个雄心勃勃的目标。我还记得，去年就是在这个记者会上，有记者问我，说你们定6%以上，这个目标是不是低了？我们不是没有感到，因为上一年基数低，去年完全有可能实现8%乃至于更高的增长，但是我们还是确定增长6%以上，“以上”是开了口子，乐见其成。但是我们宏观经济政策的标杆是按照6%来确定的，也就是说财政、货币、就业等政策都要围绕着这个标杆进行，这就使得我们降低了赤字率，宏观杠杆率稳中有降，这也为今年应对新的挑战预留了政策空间。

回想2020年，我们在那么严峻的形势下，没有搞“大水漫灌”超发货币，去年乃至到今年2月份，在世界许多国家通胀居高不下的情况下，我们的居民消费价格，也就是CPI涨幅不到1%，这不能不说和我们实施的合理宏观政策有关。当然，刚才我讲的，我们制定宏观政策是从中国国情实际出发的，没有评价其他国家的意思。

Premier Li: You asked about China’s economic growth. Last year, China’s economic aggregate reached over 110 trillion RMB yuan. Continued growth would be growth on a high base. Experience in the global sphere shows that it will be no easy for such a big economy to keep a medium-high growth rate. You said that a 5.5 percent GDP growth target for this year is viewed an ambitious one. I recall that at last year’s press conference, a journalist asked me whether a 6 percent GDP growth target was a bit too modest. My response was that we were aware of the possibility for even faster growth of the economy because of a low base of the previous year. But still we decided to set the growth target at above 6 percent, meaning that we left possibilities open for even faster growth, say, 8 percent, and we would welcome that. Nevertheless, we set macroeconomic policies, including fiscal, monetary and employment policies, against this 6 percent GDP growth target. We cut the deficit-to-GDP ratio and steadily lowered the macro leverage ratio. And we reserved policy space for coping with new challenges this year. We followed the same approach in 2020. In spite of the severe situation, we refused to flood the economy with mass stimulus or excessive money supply. As a result, despite the high inflation worldwide, China’s CPI rose less than 1 percent from last year to February this year. I think that very much has to do with our reasonable macroeconomic policies. Our macroeconomic policies are informed by China’s national conditions, and I have no intention to comment on the policies of other countries here. 

去年，在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下，经过全国人民的共同努力，我们不仅完成了全年经济社会发展的主要目标任务，而且为今年打下了坚实基础。今年经济确实遇到了新的下行压力和挑战，且不说各种复杂环境在变化，不确定因素增多，就是我们本身要实现5.5%的目标，它的增量，也就是中国百万亿元量级以上GDP5.5%的增量，就相当于一个中等国家的经济总量。10年前我们经济总量还是50多万亿元，增长10%，增量有六七万亿元就可以了，而今年得要有九万亿元名义GDP的增量。这就好像登山，如果你要登1000米的山，想爬10%，那100米就可以；如果你要登3000米的山，想上5%，那就是150米。而且条件也变了，越往上气压越低、氧气越少，看似速度放缓了，实际上分量更重。

Last year, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and thanks to the joint efforts of people across the country, we successfully achieved the major goals and tasks for economic and social development for the year, and laid a good foundation for development this year. This year, we face new downside pressures and challenges, with much complexity and rising uncertainty. With China’s GDP exceeding 100 trillion yuan, a 5.5 percent increase would generate the amount of output equivalent to the size of a medium economy. Ten years ago, when China’s GDP was just over 50 trillion yuan, even a 10 percent growth would only add some 6 to 7 trillion yuan of output. But this year, even with a lower growth rate, the figure would reach 9 trillion yuan in nominal GDP. To use the analogy of mountain climbing, in climbing a 1,000-meter-high mountain, covering 10 percent of the height is a distance of 100 meters. But in climbing a 3,000-meter-high mountain, 5 percent of the height will already be 150 meters. Moreover, the higher one climbs, the lower the air pressure, and the less the oxygen. So the growth may look slower now, but it actually carries more weight.

实现5.5%左右的增长，这是在高水平上的稳，实质上就是进，是不容易的，必须有相应的宏观政策支撑。比如财政政策，今年我们降低赤字率到2.8%，赤字比去年少了2000多亿元。但与此同时，我们加大了财政支出的力度。那你们会问，钱从哪里来？我在政府工作报告当中已经说了，我们这两年可用未用、结存的中央特定金融机构和专营机构的利润，再加上财政预算稳定调节基金，新增支出规模不小于2万亿元，而且增加的规模主要用来减税降费，特别是退税，这相当于给登高山的人输氧。当然，我们还有配套的金融、就业等多项举措。

We aim to achieve about 5.5 percent growth this year to ensure the steady performance of the Chinese economy at a high level, which is in itself a show of progress. To achieve this goal is not easy, and needs the support of a series of macro policies. Take fiscal policy for example, we have lowered our deficit-to-GDP ratio to 2.8 percent this year, a decrease of more than 200 billion yuan over last year. But we will beef up government spending this year. One may naturally ask, how to pay for that? I have set it out in the Government Work Report. We will draw on the savings that we didn’t tap into over the last two years, meaning we will use the surplus profits of state-owned financial institutions and state monopoly business operations and funds transferred from the Central Budget Stabilization Fund. In total, government spending this year will rise by no less than 2 trillion yuan. Most of it will be used for tax and fee reductions, particularly tax refund, just like providing oxygen supply for mountain climbers. At the same time, we will roll out a series of supportive financial and pro-job measures, too. 

我们今年采取的举措不仅是应对短期的，也是立足当前、着眼长远的，决不预支未来，是可持续的。正像记者朋友提到的，中国还有应对气候变化、收入差距、债务等众多问题，这些都需要我们在中长期过程中，包括今年有力地应对。有关方面的措施我们都在安排部署。中国现代化还是一个长期的过程，我们需要在这个过程当中用发展的办法来解决发展中的问题。

Our policies set for this year are not just aimed at addressing immediate needs. They also take into account long-term development needs. They will not sacrifice future interests and are therefore sustainable. Like you said, China is still faced with a series of challenges, such as climate change, income gap, and debt. We need to forcefully respond to them this year and in a medium-to-long run. The measures required are being worked on. China’s modernization is a long process. We need to address issues arising in the course of development through development.

你刚才提到乌克兰局势。当前乌克兰局势世人瞩目，中方也深感担忧和痛惜，真诚地希望乌克兰局势能够得到缓解，早日回归和平。中国始终奉行独立自主的和平外交政策，发展双边关系从不针对第三方。我们将本着相互尊重、互利共赢的精神，同各方发展合作关系，为世界提供更多的稳定性。

On Ukraine, the current situation there is a focus of international attention. China is deeply concerned and grieved. We sincerely hope that the situation will ease and peace will return at an early date. China has all along followed an independent foreign policy of peace, and never targets third parties in our bilateral ties. We want to develop cooperation with all countries on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit, to bring greater stability to today’s world. 

路透社记者：俄罗斯对乌克兰发动袭击以来已经造成200万难民，数百名平民死亡，人们对核态势升级前景也感到担忧，但中方一直没有对俄的行为进行谴责，或者将其称之为“入侵”，是否不论怎样中方都不会对俄进行谴责？在俄罗斯面临制裁的情况下，中方是否会进一步对俄罗斯提供经济、金融支持？是否担心这样做会受到来自其他国家制裁的负面影响？

Reuters: Since Russia’s attack on Ukraine, there have been two million refugees, hundreds of civilian deaths, and growing worries about the prospect of nuclear escalation. Yet China has refused to condemn Russia’s conduct or call it an “invasion”. Will China refrain from condemning Russia’s conduct in Ukraine no matter what it does? Is China prepared to provide further economic and financial support for Russia as it faces sanctions? And is China concerned about sanctions blowback from other countries if it does so?

李克强：我刚才说了，中国从来都是奉行独立自主的和平外交政策。关于乌克兰局势，中方主张各国主权和领土完整都应该得到尊重，联合国宪章宗旨和原则都应该得到遵守，各国合理安全关切也应该得到重视，中方据此作出我们自己的判断，并愿意和国际社会一道为重返和平发挥积极作用。

Premier Li: As I have just said, China follows an independent foreign policy of peace. Regarding the situation in Ukraine, China believes that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed, and the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously. On that basis, China makes its own assessment, and is prepared to work with the international community to play a positive role for an early return to peace. 

当前的乌克兰局势确实令人担忧，应当尽最大努力支持俄乌双方克服困难进行谈判，谈出和平的结果，一切有利于和平解决危机的努力我们都支持和鼓励。当务之急要避免紧张局势升级甚至失控，国际社会和各方对此都是有共识的。

The current situation in Ukraine is indeed disconcerting. Utmost efforts should be made to support Russia and Ukraine in carrying forward negotiations despite the difficult situation to produce a peaceful outcome. We support and encourage all efforts that are conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis. The high priority now is to prevent the tense situation from escalating or even getting out of control. There is consensus about this among the international community, including the parties concerned. 

中方呼吁保持最大限度的克制，防止出现大规模人道主义危机。中方已经提出应对乌克兰人道局势的倡议，并将继续向乌方提供人道主义援助。

China calls for exercising utmost restraint and preventing a massive humanitarian crisis. China has put forward an initiative for responding to the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. China has provided Ukraine with humanitarian assistance, and will continue to do so.

当前世界经济因受疫情冲击等影响已经很艰难了，有关制裁会对世界经济复苏造成冲击，对各方都不利。中方愿为维护世界和平稳定、促进发展繁荣作出自己建设性努力。

Reeling from COVID-induced shocks, the world economy is already struggling. Relevant sanctions will hurt the world economic recovery and are in no one’s interest. China is ready to make its own constructive efforts in maintaining peace and stability and promoting development and prosperity in the world. 

美国消费者新闻与商业频道记者：国家金融与发展实验室有关研究显示，降费对于小企业的帮助是最大的，减税次之。您能否与我们分享关于减税降费影响的具体数据？另外，由于房地产市场发展速度的放缓，地方政府财政有所减少，对这方面有什么考虑？还有就是涉及消费方面，政府会考虑采取发放消费券等类似的政策措施吗？

CNBC: The National Institute for Finance and Development says that fee cuts help small businesses more, and then second is the tax cuts. But are there exact figures for how the tax and fee cuts exactly helped the economy? And what are the considerations for local governments, especially as they are faced with the property market’s slowdown and their effect to revenues? And finally, for the consumer aspect, are there considerations for using consumer vouchers or other measures? 

李克强：结论是要有理论和实践支撑的。从我们这几年的实践看，减税降费效果最直接。我记得去年到东部地区和十几位企业家交谈，他们谈到了企业运行中的困难，希望国家再出台一些宏观支持政策。我当时就说，中央政府的政策储备是有的，但需要集中使用。有三项选择，但只能做选择题，就是三选一。一是大规模投资，也许你们可以得到订单。二是发放消费券，可能会直接刺激消费。三是给企业减税降费，稳就业、促投资消费。他们沉默一会儿，几乎异口同声地回答，我们选择第三项。因为这是最直接、最公平、最有效率的。从今年我收到的有关报告看，普遍把减税降费作为对政府宏观政策的第一期待。看来，施肥还得要施到根上，根壮才能枝繁叶茂。

Premier Li: Conclusions should be supported with theories and practices. Our practices in recent years show that tax and fee cuts have worked most directly. I recall that last year I had a conversation with a dozen business representatives in an eastern province. They talked about their corporate difficulties and their hope for more macro policy support from the government. I said that the central government had policies in reserve, yet we need to use them in an integrated way. I gave them three options to pick one they preferred the most. They are, massive investment, which will help them get orders; the second is handing out consumption vouchers to boost consumer spending; and the third is tax and fee reductions for enterprises to stabilize employment and boost investment and consumption. They were only quiet for a moment and almost unanimously chose the third policy option, because they believed it would work most directly in a most equitable and efficient way. Many reports I have received this year also take tax and fee cuts as the number one aspiration for the government’s macro policies. Indeed, fertilizer needs to go to the root. When the root is strong, the plant can grow well.

我在材料上也看到，有人担心减税降费实施几年了，边际效应是不是已经递减了，也就是说作用不像以前那么大了。这次我们实施的大规模减税降费是退税和减税并举，规模2.5万亿元。在2020年经济受冲击最严重时，我们也就是这么大的政策规模，最终挺过来了，而且我们这次调整了结构，把退税顶在前面。所谓退税，就是按照增值税税制的设计，对市场主体类似于先缴后返的税额，我们采取提前退税的办法，就是一次性把留抵的税额退给企业，规模1.5万亿元以上。如果效果好，我们还会加大力度。

Some worry that tax and fee reductions have been in place for several years, and the marginal effect of this policy will fade. In other words, the policy will not work as well as before. This year, we will combine tax and fee reductions with massive tax refunds, with a total amount of 2.5 trillion yuan. It was also with such policy intensity that we pulled through those very difficult times in 2020. We have made some adjustments this time, and tax refund will be the highlight of policy for 2022. Under the current VAT tax code, there will be tax collection first, and tax refund later for enterprises. This year, we will refund in advance the existing overpaid VAT credits in a lump sum worth 1.5 trillion yuan. If this works well, we are prepared to step it up.

我们退税优先考虑小微企业，因为小微企业量大面广，支撑的就业人口多，而且现在是他们资金最紧张、最困难的时候，所以我们要在今年6月底以前，把小微企业的存量留抵税额一次性退到位，把制造业、研发服务业等一些重点行业的留抵税额在年内全面解决，对小微企业的增量留抵退税逐月解决。我在政协参加讨论的时候，一位政协委员是企业家，他就告诉我，相比其他减税降费和投资等措施，退税效果来得最快、来得最好。跑个项目可能有很多周折，退税等于是给企业直接发现金、增加现金流，是及时雨。看来，说破千言万语，不如干成实事一桩，一定要把这项关键性措施落到位。

Priority will be given to micro and small firms in the refunding of VAT credits, because these firms cover a wide range of sectors, large in number and provide many jobs. Currently, many of them are financially strapped and are in great difficulty. We will refund all the outstanding VAT credits to micro and small firms in a lump sum by the end of June. Refunding of VAT credits to manufacturing, R&D service providers and other key industries will be fully settled within this year. Newly-increased VAT credits of micro and small firms will be refunded on a monthly basis. I recall that in my discussions with CPPCC members, a member who is also a businessman told me that compared with other tax and fee cuts and investment policies, tax refunds work the fastest and the best, whereas investment projects involve a lot of procedures. VAT refunds, however, are like direct funding support for the liquidity of businesses. They are what firms need most. Getting one concrete thing done is more important than making 1000 promises. We must see to it that this policy highlight will be fully delivered.

减税降费是在做减法，但实质上也是加法，因为今天退，明天就是增，今天的减，明天就可能是加。去年新增纳税市场主体交的钱，超过了我们当年减税的钱，这是有账可查的。从2013年我们实施增值税改革以来，以减税为导向，累计减了8.7万亿元，当时我们的财政收入大概11万亿元，去年已经突破了20万亿元，增加了近一倍。因为企业在这个过程中受益了，效益增加了。可谓水深鱼归、水多鱼多，这是涵养了税源，培育壮大了市场主体。

Tax refunds and fee cuts are making subtraction, but could also be addition in essence. Refunds today could lead to increase in tax revenue in the future. For example, last year, newly registered market entities paid more taxes than the amount of tax reductions for the year. There are clear records for this. Since 2013, with the launch of VAT reform, we have cut taxes by the amount of 8.7 trillion yuan. Back then, our fiscal revenue was about 11 trillion yuan. Last year, fiscal revenue exceeded 20 trillion yuan, nearly double the amount in 2013. In this process, businesses have truly benefited and improved their performance. It’s like building a deeper pool to farm more fish. The tax refunds and fee cuts have helped create more sources of tax revenue and nurture business growth.

刚才你说到地方财政收入遇到新的困难，我们注意到了。所以今年中央对地方的转移支付增幅是多年来少有的，增长18%，总规模达到9.8万亿元。退税主要是中央财政掏腰包，当然地方政府也得“凑份子”。我们退税的钱是直达企业，考虑到基层的困难，我们对基层的转移支付补助资金是直达市县以下基层。地方政府要当“铁公鸡”，不该花的钱一分钱也不能花，该给市场主体的钱一分都不能少，多一分那是添光彩。

You mentioned new difficulties local governments face in their fiscal revenues. The central government is aware of that. This year the central government’s transfer payments to local governments will rise by 18% and reach 9.8 trillion yuan, an amount rarely seen over the years. Most tax refunds will be financed by the central government, and a certain amount will also be shared by local governments. I want to emphasize that tax refunds will go straight to businesses and given the difficulty of primary-level governments, transfer payment subsidies will be channeled to prefecture- and county-level governments and below. All local governments must count every cent and make every cent count to ensure that all funding support for businesses will be fully delivered, and it would be even better if more could be done.

凤凰卫视记者：去年以来，香港特别行政区先后进行了选举委员会选举以及第七届立法会选举，今年还要举行第六任行政长官选举。一方面是实行新的选举制度，另外一方面现在香港疫情还没有出现好转的迹象，大家非常关注这场选举。请问总理对此如何评价？

Phoenix TV: Over the past year, elections of the Election Committee and the seventh Legislative Council were held in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This year, election of the sixth-term Chief Executive will be held there. Close attention is being paid to how this election will be conducted under the new electoral system and at a time when the COVID situation in Hong Kong has yet to turn the corner? What is your comment, Mr. Premier?

李克强：当前香港新冠肺炎疫情形势严峻，特区政府依法决定推迟第六任行政长官选举，集中精力抗疫，我们充分理解和支持。中央政府每天都在关注着香港的疫情，十分惦念香港市民的生命健康和安全。特区政府要负起抗疫的主体责任，中央政府会全力支持香港抗疫。

Premier Li: The current COVID situation in Hong Kong is indeed serious. The Hong Kong SAR government has decided in accordance with the law to postpone election of the sixth-term Chief Executive to concentrate on dealing with the COVID situation. We have full understanding and support for that. The Central Government follows the COVID situation in Hong Kong every day and has deep concern for the life, health and safety of residents in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong SAR government needs to fulfil its primary responsibility in tackling the situation and the Central Government will give full support. 

我们将全面准确、坚定不移地贯彻“一国两制”、“港人治港”、高度自治方针，特区政府换届将严格依照基本法相关规定进行。希望特区政府团结带领香港各界人士继续发展经济、改善民生，巩固好、提升好香港国际金融、贸易和航运三大中心地位，保持香港长期繁荣稳定。

We are steadfast in our commitment to fully and faithfully implement the principle of One Country, Two Systems under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy. The change of government in the Hong Kong SAR will happen in strict accordance with relevant provisions in the Basic Law. We hope the SAR government will unite and lead people across sectors in Hong Kong to continue to grow the economy, improve people’s lives, consolidate and elevate Hong Kong’s status as an international financial, trading and shipping center, and maintain Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability. 

中央广播电视总台记者：当前，我们看到了一些企业预期不稳，部分行业岗位缩减，还有的企业出现了裁员。另外一方面，新的需要就业的人口又在不断增加。请问总理，今年我们将会采取什么样的措施实现稳就业的目标？

CCTV: We are seeing unstable business expectations, job cuts in certain industries and layoffs by some companies. Meanwhile, more job seekers are joining the labor force. Mr. Premier, what measures will the government take this year to achieve the goal of stable employment? 

李克强：就业不仅是民生问题，也是发展问题。有就业才有收入，生活有奔头，也为社会创造财富。我记得去年到企业调研时，有企业负责人跟我说，到了8月份，许多职工向他预支工资，为什么？9月份孩子要交学费。春节前我到西北农村调研，一位农民就告诉我，他一个孩子上大学，一年得花费一万多块钱，还有一个上高中，一年得8000多块钱，靠种几亩地是不行的，必须有打工的收入。我真是为我们的人民群众感动。他们在努力打拼，打工、就业不仅关系当前家庭生计，也在为下一代争取更好的未来。

Premier Li: Employment bears on people’s lives and the country’s development. A job helps to generate income, make life promising and create wealth. I recall that in my visit to enterprises last year, the head of a company told me that many of their employees would ask for an advance on wages in August every year, because they need the money to pay their children’s tuition fees in September.

Before this year’s Spring Festival, I visited rural areas in China’s northwest. A local farmer told me that he had one child in college with a cost of 10,000-plus yuan each year, and one other child in senior high school with a cost of more than 8,000 yuan a year. He said that he had to go to work in the city, or he wouldn’t be able to make enough money to cover these expenses by just growing grain on his small land plot. I have always been deeply touched by the hard work of our people. Staying in work is not just about earning enough to support family, but also securing a better life for the younger generation.

今年我们加大宏观政策实施力度，财政货币政策要围绕实现就业目标来展开，所以我们强调就业优先也是宏观政策，其他政策要配套，为实现就业目标努力。我们现在每年新增城镇就业必须有1100万人以上，最好有1300万人以上。我总觉得，只要实现了比较充分的就业，就能够实现有些人说的中国经济潜在增长率。有一个实例，2020年疫情严重冲击的时候，我们没有定经济增长指标，但是我们定了一个明确的指标，就是新增城镇就业要900万人以上，结果实现了1100万人以上的新增城镇就业，经济不仅实现了正增长，而且增速达到2.2%，在主要经济体中是唯一实现正增长的。

We will step up the implementation of our macro policies this year, and fiscal and monetary policies need to help us achieve the goal on employment. Hence, our employment-first policy is also a macro policy, whose implementation will be supported by other policies. Each year we need to create over 11 million, preferably 13 million new urban jobs. If we could achieve maximum employment, we would be able to achieve what some people say, China’s potential economic growth rate.

There is one concrete example here. In the raging times of COVID-19 back in 2020, we decided not to set a GDP growth target, but we set the target of new urban jobs at above nine million. The outcome was that we created over 11 million new urban jobs. China’s economic growth stayed in the positive territory, and reached 2.2 percent. The Chinese economy was the only one among major economies to achieve a positive growth.

今年需要就业的城镇新增劳动力达到约1600万人，是多年来最高。高校毕业生1076万，是历年最高。还有近3亿农民工要有打工的机会，还要保障退役军人就业。还有一些企业生生死死，有些人要再就业。城镇新增劳动力是在增长的，要有新的就业平台。对于新增需就业人员，我们要给他们以培训等多方面支持举措，用市场化的方法来解决就业问题。比如这些年我们在推动大众创业、万众创新，促进发展新技术新业态新模式，培育新动能。我们相信普通人有上上智，把他们的特长、聪明才智发挥出来，那就业的大舞台会绚丽多彩。

This year, we will see a record high increase of new job seekers into the labor force, totaling some 16 million. There will be 10.76 million students graduating from college, another record high. There needs to be work for some 300 million rural migrant workers. Jobs also need to be provided to ex-service members. And some people are waiting to get re-employed in case of business insolvency. There is a steady increase in the urban labor force, and new platforms of employment need to be created. The government will provide these new job seekers with training opportunities and other support. More importantly, we need to rely on market-oriented means to resolve employment issues. In recent years, we have pursued the initiative of mass entrepreneurship and innovation, and promoted the development of new technologies, new industries and new business models to foster new drivers of growth. We believe that there is great intelligence and potential in each individual. When their talent and potential is fully brought out, we can open great prospects for employment. 

这里还不得不提到灵活就业，因为这方面有2亿多人，形式多样、覆盖面广。作为一个发展中国家，这种就业形式会比较长期地存在。他们风里来、雨里去，确实很辛苦，很多地方在给他们提供暖心服务。针对他们的劳动权益、社会保障等问题，政府要逐步完善政策，也就是说要给这些“骑手”们系上“安全带”，让灵活就业等新就业形态既解燃眉之急，又激发市场活力和社会创造力。

I would be remiss if I did not mention flexible employment here. Over 200 million people are now engaged in flexible employment which takes multiple forms and covers a wide range of sectors. This kind of employment will long exist in a developing country like China. Many of the people in flexible employment are express delivery service providers. They have to work braving winds and rains. Many localities have provided them with heart-warming services. The government should improve policies related to their labor rights and interests as well as social protection, just like providing safety belt to deliverymen. In this way, these new forms of employment will not only meet people’s pressing need, but also help unlock market vitality and public creativity. 

西班牙埃菲社记者：疫情发生已经两年了，在过去两年当中，中国基本是“关闭”。中方现在是否考虑将目前的“动态清零”疫情防控政策变得更加可持续？是否有一个向世界“开放”的路线图？

EFE: We are already two years into the pandemic. And China has remained closed to the world during all this time. So my question is for how long is zero-COVID policy sustainable for China? Is there a road map to start reopening the country in the foreseeable future?

李克强：新冠病毒是人类共同的敌人，传播两年了，病毒一直在变异，一些规律还需要深入研究，相应的像疫苗保护、有效药物研发等也需要加强。国际社会当前还是要团结合作、守望相助，相互之间多一些理解和包容，努力为世界回归正常共同创造条件。

Premier Li: The novel coronavirus is a common enemy of humankind. The virus has been with us for two years, yet is still changing. Much remains to be learned about it. Meanwhile, protection through vaccines and R&D of effective drugs need to be enhanced. The international community should embrace unity, cooperation and mutual assistance, show greater mutual understanding and accommodation, and make joint efforts to create conditions for our world’s early return to normal. 

中国一直统筹疫情防控和经济社会发展，积极推动国际交往合作，我们会根据疫情的形势变化和病毒的特点，使防控更加科学精准，保障人民生命健康，保障正常生产生活秩序，保障产业链供应链的安全。

China has adopted a coordinated approach to COVID response and economic and social development. We have been actively promoting international exchanges and cooperation. We will make our response more scientific and targeted in light of the evolving COVID situation and features of the virus, to protect people’s life and health, keep up the normal running of work and life, and ensure the security of industrial and supply chains.

疫情发生以来，我多次与国际组织负责人、跨国公司负责人、企业家对话，他们都希望保证必要的商务往来。我们已经开通了“快捷通道”和“绿色通道”，对一些关键环节的企业和项目，保障他们正常的生产经营。我们会不断地积累经验，及时应对可能发生的变化，逐步使物流、人流有序畅通起来。

In my many conversations with heads of international institutions and multinationals as well as business leaders since the pandemic started, many expressed the hope for ensuring necessary business exchanges. China has opened the “fast lanes” and “green corridors” to ensure the normal running of companies and projects in key areas. We will continue to gain experience and be adaptable to new developments, to gradually restore unimpeded flow of goods and personnel in an orderly way. 

新华社记者：这些年，我国的营商环境虽然有所改善，市场主体大幅增长，企业办事也方便了许多，但各种干扰仍然不少。请问在当前情况下，政府在优化营商环境、激发市场活力和创造力方面还会做哪些努力？

Xinhua News Agency: Recent years have seen steady improvement in China’s business climate, as evidenced by a surge in market entities and easier access to government services for enterprises. However, various disturbances to business activity still exist. What more will the government do to improve the business climate and better stimulate market vitality and public creativity?

李克强：近10年，国务院每年都要召开一次全国性的推进“放管服”改革、优化营商环境的会议。我也注意到，今年一开年，许多地方都围绕改善营商环境的主题来开会。可以说，“放管服”改革是为市场主体改良生长的土壤，减税降费是为他们施肥浇水，大众创业、万众创新是要推动更多的市场主体生根发芽。只要我们把人民的创造力发挥出来，把市场主体的活力激发出来，大家可以想象经济的生动局面。但政府必须进行刀刃向内的改革，不能让政府部门围绕着自己的权力在转，而要通过改革，让市场主体层出不穷、生机勃勃。

Premier Li: Every year in the past decade, the State Council would hold a national work conference on the reform of government functions and improvement of China’s business climate. I’ve also noted that improving business climate was high on the agenda of the first meetings of many local governments in the new year. Reforming government functions could be likened to improving soils for the growth of market entities. Our policy of tax and fee reductions is like applying fertilizer and water, and the initiative of mass entrepreneurship and innovation aims to help more market entities take root and grow. When public creativity is leveraged, and the vitality of market entities unleashed, one could well anticipate vibrant economic growth. This requires the government pursue self-targeted reform to see that government power does not revolve around departmental interests. Rather, we need to advance reform to help market entities to emerge and flourish. 

触动利益是比触动灵魂要难的。但政贵有恒，这些年我们持续推进市场化改革、推进“放管服”改革，有1000多项行政许可被下放或取消，非行政许可退出历史舞台。过去办企业拿执照要几十天的时间，多的要上百天，现在在全国范围内平均4天，最少的地方1天。现在大约9成的政务服务是网上办、掌上办、异地办、不见面办。实际上这是在打破利益的藩篱、突破了传统思维。惠企利民的措施我们会继续推进下去。

Shaking up vested interests could be more difficult than touching the depths of souls. Yet we must keep up the consistency of policy, which is critical for exercising governance. We have pressed ahead with market-oriented reforms and the reform of the government’s own functions over the years. Through these reforms, over 1,000 administrative approval items have been canceled or delegated to lower-level authorities. The non-administrative approval requirement was made a thing of the past. It used to take several dozen days, even up to over 100 days, to open a business. But now, it takes only four days, or just one day in some places. About 90 percent of government services can now be accessed inter-provincially, online or through cellphone apps, with no need of making physical visits. These measures have helped eliminate the thickets of vested interests and change the government’s traditional way of thinking. And we will work to bring more benefits to businesses and the people.

这些年通过营商环境不断改善，我国市场主体已经达到1.5亿户，比10年前净增了约1亿户，主要是民营市场主体，其中个体工商户达到1亿户。可不要小看个体工商户，他们一头连着众多人的生计，一头连着大众的消费。我在政协参加讨论时，那些企业家就说，如果没有小微企业和个体工商户打通“微细血管”，大中企业甚至国企央企都动不起来。

With an improving business climate in recent years, the number of market entities in China has reached 150 million, a net increase of 100 million over ten years ago. Most of them are privately-held, among which self-employed households now amount to 100 million. No one should underestimate these self-employed households. They support the livelihoods of many families, and meet consumer demand. Entrepreneurs in the CPPCC told me had it not been for the role of those micro and small firms and self-employed households in keeping up unimpeded flows of the economy, bigger companies, even state-owned enterprises and centrally-managed enterprises, would be hamstrung.

大家到经济发展好的地方看一看，那里都是改革力度大、营商环境好、市场主体多，所以经济蓬蓬勃勃。当然，我多次强调，“放”“管”是并行的，“放”不是放责，“管”是政府必须履行的职责。“放”也不是放任，对那些假冒伪劣、坑蒙拐骗等行为要坚决打击，尤其是对一些涉及人民生命健康和群众利益的，像食品药品、安全生产、金融等领域，要加强监管，违规违法的必须受到惩处。现在新业态新模式也在不断变化发展，我们要不断完善监管规定和方式，使市场主体真正在公平公正的环境中竞争和发展。

With bold reform measures, a sound business climate and a large number of market entities, a place often enjoys bright economic prospects. I have also repeatedly stressed that streamlining administration and enhancing oversight should go hand in hand. Streamlining administration does not mean a diminishing in government responsibilities, and the government has the duty to exercise regulation and supervision. Delegation of authority shouldn’t give rise to regulatory gaps either. We will resolutely combat the malpractices of counterfeiting and cheating on marketplace. We will enhance regulation in areas concerning people’s life and health and public interests, like food, drugs, workplace safety and the financial sector, and deal with any violation of laws and regulations. As new forms of industry and new business models keep developing, we will improve our regulatory approaches to ensure that market entities can truly compete and grow in a fair and just environment. 

彭博社记者：50年前，美国总统尼克松对中国的访问开启了美国对华接触的时代，去年拜登政府宣布这一时代已经结束，美中两国现在正进入激烈竞争的时期。您是否同意这一评价？禁止在华销售美国的半导体以及禁止中国企业在美上市这样的情形会不会变得越来越常见呢？

Bloomberg News: Fifty years ago, then US President Richard Nixon visited China and began what became known as a period of American engagement with China. Last year, the Biden administration said that period had come to an end, and China and the US were headed instead into a period of intense competition. I wonder Mr. Premier, if you would agree with that assessment? Will things such as bans on American semiconductors being sold in China or bans against Chinese companies listing shares in the US become more and more common?

李克强：50年前，中美两国打破坚冰，开启了关系正常化航程。半个世纪过去了，两国关系虽然时有磕磕碰碰，但一直是向前发展的。我们还是希望，双方按照两国元首去年年底视频会晤达成的共识，相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢，以理性和建设性的方式妥善管控分歧，尊重彼此的核心利益和重大关切。还是要多对话、多沟通。既然双方互相打开了大门，就不应再关上，更不能“脱钩”。

Premier Li: Fifty years ago, China and the US broke the ice and started a journey of normalizing relations between the two countries. Half a century has passed. China-US relations have all along been moving forward despite ups and downs. We hope that the two countries will act in accordance with the common understandings reached between the two Presidents in their virtual meeting at the end of last year, respect each other, live together in peace and pursue win-win cooperation. We hope the two countries will properly manage differences in a rational and constructive manner, and respect each other’s core interests and major concerns. It is preferable to have more dialogue and communication. Now that the door has been opened, it shouldn’t be shut again, still less should there be decoupling.

中美是联合国安理会常任理事国，也是世界上最大的发展中国家和最大的发达国家。处理好彼此的关系，事关两国人民的福祉。当前不少全球性的挑战都需要中美两国开展合作、共同应对。应该说，中美合作对两国、对世界都有益。

China and the US are both permanent members of the UN Security Council, and the world’s largest developing and developed countries respectively. Getting this relationship right serves the well-being of people of both countries. Many global challenges today require the joint efforts and cooperation of China and the US. It is fair to say that China-US cooperation is beneficial to both countries and the world.

当然，中美两国社会制度、历史文化、发展阶段都存在着很大的差异，有分歧也是难免的。但我们认为，合作应当是主流，因为世界和平与发展依赖于合作。即使我们在经贸领域有市场竞争，那也应该是良性、公平的竞争。去年，两国贸易额超过7500亿美元，比上年增长了近三成。这说明什么？中美合作领域是广阔的，是有巨大潜力的。如果美国放宽对中国的出口限制，双边贸易额还会更大，两国和两国人民都会从中受益。中方愿同美方一道择宽处行，谋长久利。

China and the US are vastly different in social system, history, culture and stage of development. Disagreements are hardly avoidable. However, we believe cooperation should be the mainstream, because global peace and development hinges on cooperation. Even if there is market competition between the two countries in economy and trade, it should be healthy and fair. Last year, China-US trade exceeded US$750 billion, up nearly 30 percent over the previous year. This shows China-US cooperation has extensive areas and much untapped potential. If the US chooses to ease its export restrictions on China, two-way trade volume will grow even bigger, delivering more benefits to both countries and their peoples. China is ready to work with the US to expand common ground and pursue interests for the long run.

中国新闻社记者：这两年受疫情冲击，我们发现以前有一些经常去的小吃店、小餐馆关门之后就没再开业，包括餐饮在内，旅游、零售、客运等行业也受到很大影响。政府工作报告提出要稳市场主体保就业。请问总理，在帮助特殊困难行业方面，今年我们将拿出哪些举措？

China News Service: We find that due to COVID-19 impacts in the past two years, many street-side eateries and small restaurants have no longer opened for business since closure. In addition to catering, industries like hospitality, retail and passenger transport have also been hard hit. It was proposed in the Government Work Report that efforts will be made to keep business operations stable and ensure job security. Mr. Premier, what measures will the government take this year to help these industries in distress? 

李克强：疫情发生后，受冲击最大的是服务业，特别是接触型的服务业，其中量大面广的是中小微企业。他们底子本来就薄，而且可以说是精打细算、日清月结地经营，很多困难积累起来让他们难以支撑。帮助他们实际上也是支撑就业，因为仅1亿个体工商户就带动了近3亿人的就业，如果等苗枯旱透根了，再帮他们就来不及了。所以我们一定要看到“秤砣虽小压千斤”，得给他们及时的扶持。

Premier Li: COVID-19 has hit the services sector the hardest, especially contact-based service industries. Many firms in these industries are micro, small and medium-sized enterprises who are already quite weak financially and running on a tight budget. The building up of difficulties is too much for them to bear. Supporting their operations is helping maintain job security, because the 100 million self-employed households are providers of close to 300 million jobs. We must provide them with timely help as they play an important leveraging role irrespective of size. Timely support is critical, because it will be too late to water a plant if the root is dried out. 

对这些特殊困难行业，我们已经出台了40多项扶持政策。仅退税这一项，粗算一下，像餐饮、旅游、客运、文化等几个行业就能够享受1800亿元。他们不仅需要财政的支持，对那些市场前景好的，金融业也要给予“无缝续贷”。而且对他们需要阶段性减免房租、电费的，有能力的地方也应该给予支持，这实际上也是业主在拉住客户。

For these industries in special difficulty, we have worked out over 40 supportive measures. Tax refunds alone for catering, tourism, passenger transport and the cultural sector will amount to 180 billion yuan. In addition to fiscal support, we encourage banks to provide loan extension on a seamless basis for promising businesses. We also urge temporary cuts or exemptions of rentals and electricity bills where possible for these market entities, and capable local governments should also extend support. This is also a way of property owners keeping the clients. 

当前，消费需求的确比较疲弱，主要是线下消费需求疲弱。大家可以想象，市井长巷店铺林立、热气腾腾，那就是熙熙攘攘的人间烟火。如果关门了，那可不是大吉，老百姓生活都会受到影响。所以我们扶持这些特殊困难行业，不仅是让他们挺过去，也是让人民群众的生活有温度，让我们的经济能够显示更多生机。

Consumer demand is indeed quite subdued now, especially consumption in bricks and mortar shops. We may well imagine a lively city life is very much about the hustle and bustle in marketplaces and shops. Business closure is no good news for anyone. It could even affect people’s daily lives. In this sense, policy support for the industries in distress is not just to tide these industries over difficulties; it also helps add warmth to people’s lives and bring greater vibrancy to the economy.

台湾东森新媒体记者：在疫情持续蔓延、两岸关系不确定不稳定性增加的情况下，请问大陆方面将如何应对台海局势，维持并且增进两岸民众的福祉？

ET Today of Taiwan: Under the situation of further spread of the coronavirus and rising uncertainty and instability in the cross-Strait relations, how will the mainland respond to the situation across the Taiwan Strait, and uphold and promote the well-being of people on both sides of the Strait? 

李克强：我们的对台大政方针是明确的，我在政府工作报告中已经作了表述，就是坚持一个中国原则和“九二共识”，坚决反对“台独”分裂行径，推进两岸关系和平发展和祖国统一。

Premier Li: Our major principles and policies on work related to Taiwan are clear-cut. I have laid them out in the Government Work Report. That is, we are committed to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus. We firmly oppose separatist activities seeking “Taiwan independence” and we will advance the peaceful growth of cross-Strait relations and the reunification of China. 

两岸同胞说到底是一家人，手足亲情任何时候是割不断的，我们愿意继续同广大台湾同胞分享发展机遇，对来大陆发展的台湾同胞提供同等待遇，为他们办实事、解难事。只要两岸同胞和衷共济、团结向前，就一定能够推动两岸关系和平发展，共享中华民族复兴的福祉。

At the end of the day, compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are members of one family. At no time can this fraternal bond be severed. We will continue to share with our Taiwan compatriots development opportunities, provide those on the mainland with equal treatment, and take concrete measures to benefit them and help them resolve difficulties. When people across the Strait come together and forge ahead in unity, we can surely promote the peaceful growth of cross-Strait relations, and share in the well-being of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. 

新加坡联合早报记者：今年是本届中国政府的收官之年。回顾过去4年多的历程，您认为本届政府取得的成绩有哪些？遇到的最大挑战又是什么？在本届政府的最后一年里，中国经济面临着前所未有的压力，您将重点实施哪些政策，以更好地稳定社会信心、回应民众的关切？

Lianhe Zaobao: The year 2022 is the last year of the current term of the Chinese government. Looking back at the course of governance in the past four years, what do you think are the major achievements of this government? What is the biggest challenge for it? With China’s economy under unprecedented pressure, what will be the government’s policy priorities in the last year of its term, to keep up public confidence and respond to people’s concerns?

李克强：本届政府以来，国际形势复杂多变，国内矛盾和困难叠加。说到最大的挑战，那还是新冠肺炎疫情及其给经济带来的严重冲击。我们志不求易、事不避难、行不避险，尽了最大努力。

Premier Li: Since the formation of this government, there have been much complexity and change in the international environment, as well as entwined difficulties and challenges at home. But the biggest challenge came from the COVID-19 pandemic, which dealt a heavy blow to China’s economy. In responding to the challenge, we have not settled for the easy option or shied away from what’s difficult and the risks, and have put in our greatest efforts.

记得我出任总理时在这里召开第一次记者会，也就是在这个大厅里边，就明确表明，要持续发展经济、不断改善民生、促进社会公正，这是我们政府的基本任务，行大道、民为本、利天下，就是要以民之所望为施政所向。这些年，我们锲而不舍、一以贯之，创新施政方式，用保持经济运行在合理区间等方式来应对周期性的经济波动，尤其是宏观政策的实施直面市场主体的需求；坚定推进改革，简除繁苛，维护公正，培育和壮大市场主体和新动能，激发市场活力和社会创造力；坚持就业优先，把握国情实际，注重保障基本民生，等等。政府工作有人民群众认可的地方，也有与他们的期盼有差距和不足的地方，这些我们是清楚的。

I recall that at my first press conference as Premier, held in this very same place, I laid out the basic tasks for the government as sustaining economic development, improving people’s lives and promoting social fairness. I also said we need to follow the Great Way, put people first and deliver benefits for all. In other words, the people’s wish always points the way for the government. This is what we have been doing consistently and diligently throughout the years. We have been innovative in exercising governance. We have dealt with cyclical fluctuations in economic activity by keeping major economic indicators within an appropriate range. In particular, we have implemented macro policies in a way that is directly responsive to the needs of market entities. We have pressed ahead with reforms to cut red tape and uphold justice. We have nurtured and supported the growth of market entities and new drivers of growth to boost market vitality and social creativity. We have implemented an employment-first policy and focused on ensuring people’s basic welfare in keeping with national realities. We are aware that while our people are happy with some aspects of the government’s work, there are also areas where we still fall short of their expectations.

至于你说到今年是本届政府的最后一年，也是我担任总理的最后一年。我们所面临的形势依然复杂严峻，困难和挑战依然众多，我在政府工作报告和刚才回答问题中已经对应对困难挑战作了说明和阐述。我和我的同事们，会以锲而不舍的精神恪尽职守，用实干来践行承诺。

You said this year is the last year in the current term of the Chinese government. This year is also the last year of my premiership. We are still faced with a complicated and challenging environment and there are still many difficulties and challenges at play. As to how to respond to these challenges and difficulties, I have set out our policies in the Government Work Report and also in my answers to some previous questions. I and my colleagues will make persistent efforts, conscientiously perform our duties and take solid steps to live up to our promises.

我相信，在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下，有社会各界的大力支持，特别是人民群众的共同奋斗，中国经济一定能够爬坡过坎，实现今年经济社会发展的主要目标任务，并为以后的发展奠定应有的坚实基础。

I am confident that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, with the strong support of various sectors, and especially with the joint hard work of the Chinese people, China’s economy will be able to overcome difficulties. We will be able to achieve the major goals and tasks for economic and social development set for the whole year, and lay a due, solid foundation for the future development of the country.

人民日报社记者：近年来，我国居民人均收入逐年提高，但还是有不少人仍然感觉到生活不易，特别是新冠肺炎疫情对基本民生带来了较大影响。请问总理，今年政府在改善民生方面会有什么考虑和举措？

People’s Daily: China’s per capita income has been steadily rising in recent years. However, many people still find their lives quite hard. In particular, meeting of people’s basic living needs has been quite severely affected by COVID-19. Mr. Premier, what will the government do this year to further improve people’s lives?

李克强：这些年，我国居民的收入和GDP增长是基本同步的。但是中国依然是一个发展中国家，我们的城乡差距是明显的，公共服务要均等化是一个长期的过程。今年年初，有关方面给我递了反映民生十盼的材料，我看多数都是基本民生，而且多数来自农民群众。所以政府要始终把发展经济的目的放在保障和改善民生上，当然，是尽力而为、量力而行。

Premier Li: Indeed, in recent years, our people’s income has been growing in tandem with GDP. However, China remains a developing country. There is still a notable urban-rural gap. It will take a long time for us to achieve equal access to public services across the country. A report I received early this year listed the people’s top ten hopes for their life this year. Most of them concern basic living needs or come from farmers. Ensuring and promoting people’s lives should always be the fundamental purpose of the government’s effort in growing the economy. The government must continue to make utmost efforts and within its capacity to keep making improvements to people’s lives. 

我国现在财政总收入已经有20万亿元了，但并不宽裕。连续10年了，我们尽力保证财政性教育经费不低于GDP的4%，这是很不容易的，而且主要是面向义务教育、面向农村，因为我们农村的户籍人口现在还有7.6亿，还要进一步加大向农村和边远地区义务教育的投入力度。另一方面，我们已经建立了面向14亿多人的、可以说世界上最大的基本医保网，但水平还不高，所以这方面今年财政补助标准人均又增加了30元。我们建立了大病医保的制度，拿基本医保去购买商业大病保险的经办服务，这样使得一些病种在有些地方能报销到30万元到50万元，高的地方还有不封顶的。总体上城乡居民看病的报销比例能够达到70%，随着国力的增加还会逐步提高。特别是要巩固脱贫攻坚成果，对因病返贫、因大病致贫的要予以特殊的支持帮助。

China’s fiscal revenue has reached 20 trillion yuan, but the country still faces fiscal strains. Nevertheless, we have managed to keep fiscal spending on education above 4% of GDP for ten consecutive years. This is by no means easy. Most of the government spending has gone to compulsory education and supported rural areas, because we still have 760 million registered rural population in China. We will increase government funds to compulsory education in rural and remote areas.

We have established in China the world’s largest medical insurance system covering some 1.4 billion people. However, the benefits are still quite modest at the moment. This year, the government will increase the government subsidy by 30 yuan per person. We have established a program of medical insurance for major illnesses, using basic medical insurance funds for the purchase of commercial insurance for major illnesses. In some places this program has enabled reimbursement of 300,000 to 500,000 yuan for some illnesses. And no particular numerical cap is put on the amount of reimbursement in certain regions. On average, some 70% of medical bills of rural and urban non-working residents can get reimbursed, and we will increase the benefits as our capacity grows. In particular, we need to consolidate the outcomes in ending absolute poverty and provide particular support to people who risk falling back to poverty due to illness or struggle with poverty caused by major illnesses. 

基本民生和日常生活息息相联，现在我们跨省流动的人口超过1个亿，他们异地就业、养老、就学，办有些事往往要来回跑，“跨省通办”已经成了新刚需。我们今年要实施一项新政策，就是把人们常用的身份证电子化，也就是说你办有关事项，拿着手机一扫码就可以了。当然，我们也要为那些不用智能手机的人特别是老年人提供便利，还要保障公民的信息安全和隐私。

Meeting basic living needs concerns people’s daily lives. Nowadays, some 100 million Chinese are in cross-provincial mobility. Some are elderly people living away from hometowns with their children in cities. Some are for employment or education. They face much hassle of travel in getting certain things done. Hence, accessing government services inter-provincially has become a new constant demand among the people. One new policy we will introduce this year is to make ID cards that are in most frequent use in people’s daily lives electronic, which helps one get certain things done by a simple code-scanning on cell phones. We will also provide convenience for people who do not use smart phones, especially the elderly. In the meantime, we will ensure information security and individuals’ privacy. 

保障基本民生既要用力量力，更要用心，要坚持实事求是，让事实说话，要倾听人民群众的呼声和要求。民生问题联系着民情、民意甚至民心，政府的职责就是要顺应民心，给人民排忧解难，让人民过上好日子。

To ensure the basic living needs of our people, we must take every bit of solid effort and put heart into it. We must be fully aware of the situation on the ground and always heed the people’s call. Livelihood issues are linked with the conditions people face, public opinion and even popular support. The government is duty-bound to follow the aspirations of the people, help them resolve difficulties and enable them to lead a better life. 

这里我还要强调一点，保障人民群众的合法权益。这是人民政府必须扛在肩上的。最近，有的地方发生了严重侵害妇女权益的事件，我们不仅为受害者痛心，也对此事十分气愤。对漠视群众权益的，要坚决追责问责，对那些拐卖妇女儿童的犯罪行为要严厉打击、严惩不贷。保民安和惠民生是不可分割的，各级政府一定要把尽力惠民生、尽力保民安作为自己的基本职责。

Here I want to emphasize that a people’s government must live up to its responsibility of protecting the people’s lawful rights and interests. The recent incident involving gross violations of women’s rights and interests is deeply distressing and we feel indignant about it. Those who showed disregard for people’s rights and interests must be held to account. Perpetrators of the trafficking of women and children must be brought to justice and prosecuted to the full extent of law. Ensuring people’s safety and bettering their lives cannot be separated. Governments at all levels must take it as their basic responsibility and do their best to improve people’s lives and protect their safety. 

日本共同社记者：中国政府表明正朝着共同富裕的目标迈进，提出为了防止资本的无序扩张要设置“红绿灯”，特别是加强了对互联网企业的监管。但是外国资本则担心因为共同富裕的目标，中国政府会不会进一步加强对企业行为的限制？请问中方看法如何？有方法降低投资者的忧虑吗？

Kyodo News: China is working toward the goal of common prosperity and said it will adopt a traffic-light regulatory approach to prevent unregulated expansion of capital. Regulation over giant internet companies has been tightened. Some foreign investors are hence concerned that China will put more restrictions on corporate behaviors because of the goal of common prosperity. How does China see this? How to alleviate the concerns of foreign investors? 

李克强：我们说共同富裕，那是要共同奋斗的。对外开放政策，中国没有变也不会变，而且我们的外商投资法都有明确规定，要说变只会向有利于扩大开放、有利于投资贸易的方向发展。

Premier Li: Common prosperity can only be attained through common efforts. As far as China’s opening-up policy is concerned, there has been no change in our position, and nor will there be a change. Moreover, there are clear-cut stipulations in China’s Foreign Investment Law. If there will be any change, the change will be conducive to China’s greater openness, and to promoting investment and trade.

外商来华发展了自己，也给我们带来了投资、销售渠道，带来了我们需要的商品，对大家都有利，我们为什么要限制呢？刚才我讲到“放管服”改革，就是强调要简政放权、放管结合、优化服务，反对垄断和不正当竞争，防止资本无序扩张，目的还是要给依法经营的企业撑腰打气，确保各类所有制企业、内外资企业一律平等发展、公平竞争。当然，也希望企业在发展当中都是规范、健康的。

Foreign investors coming to do business in China have developed themselves, and also brought us investment, sales channels and products we need. It benefits us all. Why should we restrict it? I referred to the reform of government functions in previous answers. Under this reform, we highlight the need to streamline administration and delegate power, enhance regulation and upgrade government services. We are opposed to monopoly and unfair competition and will prevent the unregulated expansion of capital. These efforts aim to motivate and support law-abiding businesses, and provide a level playing field for businesses under all types of ownership, and for both domestic and foreign-invested enterprises to compete fairly. We hope all enterprises will grow in a healthy and well-regulated way.

中国太大，你要找个案都能找得到。但是从总体上看，中国经济已深度融入世界。中国货物进出口总额占GDP的比重已经超过三分之一，现在进口对工业的综合影响度超过70%，我们连续10年稳居全球第二大进口市场，而且连续5年成为全球货物贸易的第一大国。当然，总体上我们还处于产业链由中低端向中高端迈进的过程中，但这也表明产业和消费都在升级，市场潜力大，各类投资都有很大空间。

China is a very big country, so it is natural for individual cases to exist. But overall, China’s economy has deeply integrated into the world economy. China’s imports and exports in goods now take up more than one third of the country’s GDP. The level of overall impacts of imports on the industrial sector is over 70 percent. For the past 10 years in a row, China has remained the world’s second largest import market, and for the past five consecutive years, the largest trader in goods. On the whole, we are still transitioning from a lower-middle level on industrial chains to medium and high end. However, this also shows that Chinese industries and consumption are upgrading, and there is tremendous market potential and broad space for all types of investment.

相关国家和我们共同签署了区域全面经济伙伴关系协定，也就是RCEP，今年正式实施，这可以说是世界上最大的自贸区。我们会利用这一契机，继续推进自由贸易，对国企、民企、外企一视同仁，继续把中国打造成全球外商投资的热土。

China has signed with relevant countries the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The agreement has officially entered into force this year. It creates the world’s largest free trade area. We will make the most of this opportunity and continue to advance free trade. We will treat state-owned enterprises, privately-held firms and foreign invested enterprises as equals and make continued efforts to make China a popular destination for global foreign investment.

我明确地告诉大家，无论国际风云如何变幻，中国都会坚定不移地扩大开放。长江、黄河不会倒流。中国这40多年，从来都是在改革中前进、开放中发展。只要是有利于扩大高水平开放的事情，我们都愿意积极去做，而且要坚定地维护多边贸易体制，这也是我们自身发展的需要。

I can tell you clearly that no matter how the international environment may change, China will keep to the course of wider openness, just as courses of the Yangtze and Yellow rivers will not reverse. Over the past four decades, China has all along developed itself in the course of reform and opening up. We will actively pursue anything that is conducive to high-level opening-up of this country. We will firmly uphold the multilateral trading system, as this is necessary for our own development.

中国对外开放40多年了，发展了自己，造福了人民，也有利于世界。这是个机遇的大门，我们决不会、也决不能把它关上。

It has been 40-plus years since China started opening-up. Through opening-up, China has developed itself, and brought benefits to its people and to the world. We will not and must not close this door of opportunity. 

记者会采用网络视频形式进行，主会场设在人民大会堂三楼金色大厅，分会场设在梅地亚两会新闻中心。记者会历时约130分钟。

The Press Conference was held via video link between the main venue, the Golden Hall on the third floor of the Great Hall of the People, and the Press Center for the NPC and CPPCC Sessions at Media Center Hotel. It lasted for about 130 minutes.