On August 16, Li Keqiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and premier of the State Council, presided over a forum of principal responsible persons of major economic provincial governments in Shenzhen to analyze the economic situation and put forward requirements for doing a good job in the next step of economic work.
At the meeting, Li Xi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the Guangdong Provincial CPC Committee, and Wang Weizhong, governor of Guangdong Province, spoke at the meeting, and Jiangsu Governor Xu Kunlin, Zhejiang Governor Wang Hao, Shandong Governor Zhou Naixiang, Henan Governor Wang Kai, and Sichuan Governor Huang Qiang spoke via video.
Li Keqiang said that under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, all localities and departments have implemented the arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, effectively coped with the unexpected impact on the economy in the second quarter, reversed the negative growth of major economic indicators in the first two months in June, and stabilized and rebounded economic operation. The economy continued to recover in July, but there were still small fluctuations. The tide is inevitable. At present, we are at the most difficult junctiary point of economic stability, and we must consolidate the foundation for economic recovery and development with a sense of urgency that time does not wait. It is necessary to take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as guidance, fully implement the new development concept, efficiently coordinate epidemic prevention and control and economic and social development, and implement the requirements of epidemic prevention, economic stability, and development security. It is necessary to give full play to the enthusiasm of the central and local authorities, persist in development as the foundation and key to solving all problems in our country, thoroughly implement a package of policies for stabilizing the economy, rationally increase the intensity of macro policies in light of the new situation, promote reform and opening up, focus on stabilizing employment and prices, maintain economic operation in a reasonable range, and ensure basic people’s livelihood in a down-to-earth manner.
Li Keqiang said that the total economic output of the six major economic provinces accounts for 45% of the country’s total, which is the “pillar” of the country’s economic development. Major economic provinces should bravely pick up the main pillars and play a key supporting role in stabilizing the economy. Implement a package of policies to stabilize the economy, tap its own policy potential, ensure the vitality of market entities, ensure the smooth flow of logistics trunk roads and microcirculation, and stabilize the industrial chain and supply chain. Stabilizing the economy is also a stable source of revenue. Four coastal provinces in six provinces have contributed more than 60% of the local net financial contribution to the central government, and the task of financial handover must be completed. All provinces should insist that the government live a tight life, revitalize the financial stock and funds, maintain the balance of fiscal revenue and expenditure, increase the sinking of financial resources, and ensure the “three guarantees” at the grassroots level, especially the basic people’s livelihood expenditure and the payment of wages at the grassroots level.
Li Keqiang said that only when the main body of the market is stable can the economy and employment be stable. The number of market entities in the six provinces accounts for more than 40% of the country, contributing more than 40% of employment. It is necessary to increase the intensity of helping enterprises to rescue in light of actual conditions, help them rejuvenate, continue to be the “leading role” in absorbing employment, and strive to stabilize the employment of local and migrant workers. Sluggish demand is a prominent contradiction in economic operation. Large economic provinces have large populations, so we should find more ways to promote consumption, expand mass consumption such as automobiles, and support the rigid and improved demand for housing. At present, the balance of local special bonds has not yet reached the debt limit, and it is necessary to revitalize the space for debt limits according to law and make good use of the local special bonds and policy-oriented development financial instruments that have been issued. All localities should speed up the construction of mature projects, form more physical workload in the third quarter, and drive effective investment and corresponding consumption.
Li Keqiang said that the fundamental driving force for today’s development achievements in major economic provinces lies in reform and opening up. We must continue to dare to explore reform, deepen the reform of “decentralization, management and service”, and further stimulate market vitality and social creativity. Opening up is the only way to make full use of the two resources of the two markets and enhance international competitiveness. The import and export and utilization of foreign capital in the six provinces are close to 60% of the country, and it is necessary to promote a higher level of opening up, stabilize foreign trade and foreign investment, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.
(Source: Xinhua News Agency)