The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee stressed the importance of adhering to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability when planning the economic work in the second half of the year during a meeting on Thursday.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, chaired the meeting.

In the face of the complex and volatile international situation and arduous domestic issues related to advancing reform, development and stability, achievements have been made in epidemic prevention and control, as well as in economic and social development, according to the statement from the meeting.

Accelerating the building of a new development pattern, promoting high-quality development, and effectively coordinating epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development were highlighted at the meeting to ensure sound economic work for the second half of 2022.

To this end, putting people's lives first, preventing cases from overseas and internal rebounds, and sticking to a dynamic zero-COVID approach were also stressed during the meeting. 

Efforts should be made to track viral mutations and develop new vaccines and drugs, the statement said. 

Noting that macroeconomic policy should focus on expanding demand, it said the stability of industrial and supply chains and international competitiveness should be further improved. 

Ensuring security was another key point; strengthening food security, improving the country's ability to ensure energy supply and stepping up efforts to develop new energy systems were also highlighted in the meeting. 

Advancing reform and opening-up to add impetus to economic development, enhancing the capacity to ensure people's well-being, and creating a good environment for entrepreneurs were also discussed.