Highlights from Premier Li Keqiang's press conference

Editor's Notes: Premier Li Keqiang gave a press conference after the closing meeting of the second annual session of China's 12th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing. Here are the highlights from Premier's answers in response to the journalists' questions.

 [Full coverage] Premier Li Keqiang meets the press

China to continue search for missing plane "as long as there is a glimmer of hope"

"The Chinese government and Chinese people are all deeply concerned about safety of the plane," he said. "We are all eagerly awaiting news about the plane, even a slightest piece of good news."

China able to keep economic operation in proper range: Premier

"We set a proper range for China's economic operation, and that is to say, we worked to ensure that GDP growth and employment would not slide below the lower limit, and inflation would not exceed the upper limit."

Premier: GDP target flexible, stresses employment

"We are not preoccupied with GDP growth. The growth that we want is one that brings real benefits to the people, helps raise the quality and efficiency of economic development, and contributes to energy conservation and environment protection."

China's debt risks within control: Premier

"We will establish a standard financing mechanism for local governments to issue bonds and place local government debt under budgetary management."

Timetable set to regulate shadow banking: Premier

China to curb housing speculation: Premier Li

Fiscal, tax, financial reforms high on agenda: premier

"The ultimate goal of all the reforms is to fully energize the market and the creativity of society," said Premier.

Chinese premier vows "zero-tolerance" to corruption

"Corruption is a natural enemy of the people's government," Li said. "We must put the exercise of power and the use of public money under institutional checks."

China to better handle relations between government, market: Premier Li

"This shows that streamlining administration and delegating power is a powerful tool in energizing the market and stimulating social creativity."

China needs tough measures, regulations to fight pollution

"To declare a war on smog doesn't mean we are declaring a war on nature. Rather, we are going to declare a war on our own inefficient and unsustainable model of growth and way of life."

Premier Li promises to promote social fairness, improve people's livelihood

"This year we have set the target of raising the proportion of rural students from poor areas enrolled in key universities and colleges by over 10 percent."

Premier Li stresses confidence in HK's competitive edge, prosperity

"With Hong Kong people's enterprising spirit, I have confidence that Hong Kong will keep its competitive edge and maintain prosperity amid future competition," he said.

Premier Li calls for new progress in mainland-Taiwan ties

Li noted that press from both the mainland and Taiwan selected the Chinese character "jin" - or "progress" in English - as their respective word of the year. "This (selection) shows the trend of peaceful development of cross-Strait ties and represents the common wish of people on both sides," Li said.

China, EU trade disputes can be solved: Premier Li

"We can't just export toys, apparel and shoes," he said.

China, US should expand common interests: Premier Li

"There is much more that we can do to further unleash the potential of Sino-U.S. cooperation. We need to make the most of our complementarity," said Li.

China to enhance common interests, narrow differences with neighbors

"When neighbors interact with each other, it is only natural that sometimes they will run into problems of some kind or another," Li said. "As long as they respect each other, properly manage differences and pursue mutual benefits, there will be harmonious sound instead of jarring noises."