Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang said on Sunday that China would stick to reform and opening up and step up efforts to improve the people's livelihood.

Addressing a forum in Beijing, Li said that China would deepen reform, improve the socialist market economy and build a service-oriented government.

China would strengthen bilateral and multi-lateral economic and trade cooperation and take scientific innovation as the core of the country's development strategy, he said.

To improve people's livelihood, the government should prioritize education development, create more jobs, improve social welfare, bridge income gap and seek solutions in medical care and environment, he said.

China would also enhance international economic and technological exchanges and cooperation and adhere to peaceful development, Li said.

The country's economy is running well but facing several problems, he said, adding China would increase supply, optimize investment structure and curb irrational demand.

(Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2008)