Chinese premier stresses normal operation of market, stability of foreign trade

Premier Li Keqiang on Friday called for efforts to facilitate the normal operation of the commercial and logistics market and stabilize foreign trade and investment to coordinate the prevention and control of the epidemic and economic and social development.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the novel coronavirus prevention and control, inspects the national service platform for the development of market operation and circulation and the coordination mechanism of foreign trade and investment in Beijing, capital of China, March 13, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

More should be done to deepen reform and opening up, unleash the huge potential of consumption and boost the impetus for economic development, he said. Li made the remarks when inspecting the national service platform for the development of market operation and circulation and the coordination mechanism of foreign trade and investment.

Briefed on the operation of the consumption market and work resumption of commercial, logistics and life service sectors, he appreciated the work in effectively securing the market supply of goods with stable prices, especially epidemic prevention and control materials and life necessities.

Stressing efforts to accurately and effectively prevent the epidemic from rebounding, he called for orderly work resumption of commercial and logistics industries. Greater importance should be attached to new business modes to enhance the integration of the online economy and real economy, enhance the circulation of goods and activate the consumer market.

He also urged efforts to fully implement the policies of helping enterprises tide over difficulties amid the epidemic, ensuring all firms and self-employed businesses enjoy the benefits.

Li was briefed on the work of stabilizing foreign trade and investment, the resumption of foreign-funded enterprises and developments in the free trade areas as well as economic and technological development zones.

While learning the progress of some large foreign-funded projects through real-time monitoring, the premier urged related departments to make coordinated efforts and help solve their difficulties.

China should continue to optimize the business climate, accelerate the implementation of reform and opening-up policies in the free trade areas and promote wider opening-up of more sectors, especially the service industry, according to Li.

Various supportive polices on stabilizing foreign trade should be firmly implemented as soon as possibile, while efforts should be made to further facilitate customs clearance and develop new foreign trade models such as e-commerce, he said.