Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presided over a symposium on compiling the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development on November 25.

At the symposium, Premier Li said that the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) has been carried out within expectations, with the economy maintaining high growth, and industrial structural adjustment and poverty alleviation.

He encouraged local governments to fully complete the work of the 13th Five-Year Plan to lay a solid foundation for the 14th Five-Year Plan.

China is currently at a crucial stage of transforming economic development modes, optimizing economic structures and converting growth drivers, Li said, adding the external environment may become more complicated with increasing uncertainties and challenges during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. 

Based on the domestic situation and development phase, the formulation of the 14th Five-Year Plan should set development as a primary task, he stressed.

Maintaining the economy within an appropriate range, promoting high-quality development, adhering to the people-centered principle, and solving problems through reform and opening-up should be highlighted in the 14th Five-Year Plan.

The 14th Five-Year Plan will list development targets, working guidelines and key tasks to give society positive expectations and encourage the whole country to strive forward, according to the premier.

Premier Li called for careful planning covering all aspects involved to support socioeconomic development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

"To shore up the economy, improve people's well-being, guard against and resolve risks, among others, major policies should be in place," he said.

More measures should be studied to promote reform and opening-up to inject vitality into the market and power growth, Premier Li stressed.

Meanwhile, he called for more progress in streamlining administration and optimizing government services, as well as in creating a market-oriented business environment in line with the rule of law and international standards, with a clear demarcation between government and market.

In achieving these goals, he added, key projects should be initiated to mobilize private sectors and the public, strengthen infrastructure, foster industrial competitiveness through innovation, and build a better ecological environment.

Vice Premier Han Zheng, also member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, also attended the symposium.