The global economy continues to face grave challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on around the world, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday at the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress, China's top legislature, in Beijing.

Li also noted domestic challenges related to consumer spending, investment growth, stable employment, innovation capacity, local governments' budgetary deficits and environmental protection.

"We will face these problems and challenges squarely, make every effort to make improvements, and do all we can to live up to our people's expectations," he said.

(Cover: Graduates at a job fair in China's Liaoning Province, October 30, 2020. /CFP)