Shou Xiaoli:

Thank you, Mr. Luo, for your introduction. The floor is now open to questions. Please identify the news outlet you represent before raising questions.

Southern Metropolis Daily:

Self-employed individuals, represented by street vendors, play a vital role in China's economic development and are essential to the country's economic recovery. What specific measures will be taken this year to promote the growth of these businesses? Thank you.

Luo Wen:

Thank you for your question. Self-employed individuals play a crucial role in China's socialist market economy, serving as important components of the industrial, supply, and consumption chains while also functioning as vital components in the market. They are the direct providers of services in people's daily lives. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, self-employed businesses have experienced significant growth due to the encouragement, support, and guidance of the Party and the government. The total number of self-employed businesses has increased from over 40 million in 2013 to 116 million today. They have played a key role in creating jobs, stabilizing employment, improving people's lives, and promoting market vitality.

We must also acknowledge that individual and family-based businesses are generally small in scale and lack the ability to withstand risks when competing in the market. Given the challenges posed by the economic downturn and the COVID-19 pandemic, these businesses continue to face numerous difficulties and require our special protection and care. Going forward, in accordance with the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, the SAMR will provide stronger assistance and support to ensure the healthy development of these businesses.

First, we will fully implement the guidelines for promoting the development of self-employed businesses. We will leverage the inter-departmental joint meeting mechanism and work together with relevant departments to actively research and formulate support policies in social security, taxes, and fees. We will also continue to organize events such as the "National Month of Service for Individual Business Owners" to provide strong and helpful support for their development.

Second, we will implement pilot projects according to self-employed individuals' types and categories. We will focus on three different types of self-employed individuals: subsistence-based, growth-focused and development-oriented types, as well as four different categories, including local specialties, high-quality new products, and those associated with famous brands. We will provide targeted cultivation and support and help them in a scientific and targeted manner. Meanwhile, we will also strengthen investigation, research, monitoring, and analysis to continuously improve our service standards.

Third, we will give full play to service platforms for self-employed individuals. We will adhere to the government's guidance, allow the market to play its part, and share the benefits with all of society. By integrating resources from all aspects, we will offer information services such as entrepreneurship training, recruitment and employment, laws and policies to self-employed individuals. We will assist more self-employed individuals in understanding policies and reaping greater benefits, supporting them to better leverage their advantages and integrate into the market.

Fourth, we will focus on Party building efforts for micro and small enterprises, self-employed individuals, and professional markets. We will explore and strengthen Party building within new business forms and employment groups, integrating Party building work into the whole process of supervision and services. In particular, we will advance the establishment of Party building work guidance stations under market regulation offices, ensuring that all required stations are built. Through such efforts, we will promote the high-quality development of self-employed individuals with high-quality Party building. Thank you.