Chinese premier chairs State Council executive meeting

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday presided over a State Council executive meeting that studied measures to coordinate population development with economic and social development and heard a report on the implementation of the arrangements made at the national conference on the services sector.

Noting that population is fundamental to a country's economic and social development, the meeting called for efforts to tap the demographic dividend and support high-quality economic and social development through high-quality population development.

The meeting stressed the need to expand skills training and better align education and training with industrial development to promote high-quality and full employment.

It also called for steady progress in ensuring equal access to basic public services and optimizing the infrastructure layout in line with population distribution.

Efforts should be made to accelerate the development of a birth-friendly society and to maintain a stable number of newborns, according to the meeting.

Regarding the service industry, the meeting emphasized its underpinning role in driving economic growth and called for stronger support in areas such as financing, land use, talent and data.

The meeting urged continuous efforts to break down market access barriers, remove hidden hurdles for private investment and explore innovative development paths tailored to local conditions.

It also emphasized the need to increase investment in the services sector to unleash the potential of service consumption as well as cultivate leading enterprises and distinctive brands.