Premier Li Keqiang met press at 4 pm Thursday after the closing of the third session of the 13th National People's Congress.
Premier Li Keqiang waves to reporters before he takes questions at a news conference via video link in Beijing on May 28, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]
On reducing corporate operating costs
China will introduce more targeted and effective measures to further reduce corporate operating costs and the country will achieve its development goals for this year, as well as the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, Li said.
Li said that China has still reserved policies in fiscal, financial and social security arenas and the country is in a strong position to quickly introduce new measures to keep its economic development on a steady course.
On COVID-19 outbreak
China and many other countries are investing into the research and development of vaccines, effective drugs and testing agents, which, when available, should become public goods, Li said on Thursday, adding China is ready to share those products.
China will continue to manage any outbreak promptly and control the contagion in a scientific manner, and no cover-up will be allowed, Li said.
Premier Li Keqiang takes questions from the press via online video at the Great Hall of the People as the third session of the 13th National People's Congress closes on May 28 in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]
On Taiwan
China's principle and policy toward Taiwan has been consistent, adhering to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, Li said.
"We are firmly opposed to 'Taiwan independence'," he said. "On this basis, we are ready to communicate with any political party, group or individual in Taiwan to promote peaceful development across the Straits and peaceful reunification of the country."
On Hong Kong
The national security legislation for Hong Kong is designed to ensure steady implementation of "one country, two systems" in the special administrative region, as well as upholding its long-term stability and prosperity, Li said.
Li said that the principle of "one country, two systems" is the country's basic policy and the central government has always stressed the need to fully and faithfully implement the principle, under which Hong Kong people administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy.
A news conference via online video is held after the closing of the third session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing on May 28, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]
On China-US relations
The decoupling of China and the United States, two major economies, will do neither side any good, and it is also harmful to the world, Li said.
The premier said that differences, disagreements and even frictions are unavoidable given the two countries' differences in terms of social systems, cultural heritage and historical backgrounds.
"What's important is how we manage these disagreements and differences," he said, noting that the bilateral relationship has been moving forward in the past decades amid twists and turns.
Premier Li Keqiang takes questions from the press via online video at the Great Hall of the People as the third session of the 13th National People's Congress closes on May 28 in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]
On international cooperation
Li called for international cooperation in offsetting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy, and said China will firmly expand its opening-up to the rest of the world.
Saying it's impossible for any country to achieve further development with its door closed, Li reiterated China's commitment to the opening-up policy and said the country will introduce more opening-up measures on its own initiative.
Premier Li Keqiang (center) takes questions from the press via online video at the Great Hall of the People as the third session of the 13th National People's Congress closes on May 28 in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]