Chinese leaders stress stabilizing economic growth

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called Saturday for efforts to further streamline government administration and optimize the country's economic structure amid efforts to stabilize growth in the face of downward pressure.

Li made the remarks during panel discussions with lawmakers from Jiangsu and Hebei provinces attending the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature.

Speaking with NPC deputies from Jiangsu, Li said the government should further streamline administration and delegate more powers to lower levels so as to give the market and society more play in promoting development.

Mass entrepreneurship and innovation should be encouraged to achieve medium-high level of economic development, he said.

He also urged common development of the central and western regions.

While attending the panel discussion with deputies from Hebei, Li said the province should explore a new path of development, nurturing emerging industries and phasing out outdated production capacity.

He also called on coordinated development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, emphasizing battle against pollution, which has raised public concern in recent years.

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, joined a panel discussion with NPC deputies from Taiwan.

Noting achievements in last year's work on Taiwan affairs, Yu said the trend of peaceful development of cross-Strait relations was not changed despite some new situations and problems.

Yu urged both sides to unswervingly stick to the path of peaceful development and a shared political foundation as well as pursue benefits of the people of both sides to realize national rejuvenation.

Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said governments of various levels should fully implement the strategic layout of "Four Comprehensives" put forward by President Xi Jinping.

Strict discipline of the Party must be emphasized so as to enhance its creativity and capacity, Liu said in a panel discussion with deputies from Anhui Province.

Joining a panel discussion of the delegation from central China's Henan Province, Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli urged more endeavors to develop the central part of the country.

Zhang said greater efforts shall be made to promote grain production and build key economic zones in the region. Endi