1、国务院总理李克强答中外记者问英文摘要Highlights of Li Keqiangs first news conference as Chinese Premier on March 17, 2013.Q: The two sides of Taiwan Straits have witnessed good development in recent years. What is the plan to further promote cross-Straits relations? Will there be any new opportunities and challenges?A
2、:The two sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to one China. Residents on the two sides of Straits are compatriots. The concept of compatriots is deep-rooted in Chinese culture. I believe that is the reason our nation has thrived for 5,000 years. Bones may be broken, but they are not split, because we
3、are compatriots. Between us, there is no knot that cannot be untied.Were happy to see that in recent years cross-Straits relations have enjoyed peaceful development and cross-Straits cooperation has yielded good fruit. As long as we maintain the one China principle and the bond of compatriots, then
4、there will be great space and potential in cross-Straits relations.My government will fulfill the commitment made by the last government and, at the same time, to identify the new pivots for cross-Straits cooperation. In the course of developing the mainland, we will give more consideration for the
5、well-being and interests of Taiwan residents, so that the two sides can share the fruits of the countrys development.Both the mainland and Taiwan belong to our common homeland. We need to maintain and develop well this common homeland, so that it will be full of flowers. When flowers are in full blo
6、ssom, there will be a time for the moon to be full again.On anti-corruptionQuestion from China National Radio: A series of corruption cases were exposed recently. What kind of specific measures will the new leadership take to end corruption?Li:Corruption and the nature of our government are water an
7、d fire. I want to state clearly that Chinese government has a great determination to fight corruption.As government officials, we should serve the public and end the idea of making money, because they are two separated lines. Wed like to accept supervision from the society and media.We need to estab
8、lish and perfect the way we combat corruption, and we will punish corrupt officials without mercy. More importantly, well create a transparent environment, allowing the public to supervise effectively.To provide a better life for people, the government has to practice austerity. A few days ago, I re
9、ceived a financial budget report, saying the central government revenue increases only 1.6 percent. Peoples livelihood must increase, not decrease, and our governments need to cut spending.First, new governmental buildings will not be built. Second, a number of people on the government payroll will
10、decrease, not increase. Third, receptions, business trips and the use of official vehicles will decrease, not increase.On environmental protectionLi said we should not pursue economic growth at the expense of the environment. This government has made a greater resolve to provide people with clean ai
11、r, safe drinking water and safe food.Measures include creating a new model of development and pursuing scientific strategies, raising environmental thresholds and phasing out backward production tools.Li urged a more transparent government and more public supervision to address the environmental iss
12、ues, and the government should also help people take precautionary measures as well.Q: Is there a timetable for the reform of re-education through labor?A：Please allow me to give you a brief answer. About the plan for the reeducation through labor reform, the relevant departments are working intensi
13、vely to formulate a plan, and it may be laid out before the end of this year.On China-US tiesWhen I visited the US in the 1980s, a national election was in process, and I met people of both parties. They said to me no matter who is elected, the cooperation with China and the principle of one China w
14、ill not change.Over the last decade, there have been ups and downs in China-US relations, but the friendship has always been moving forward. We want to build a new type of relationship with the Obama administration. You ask me how to build it and it makes me think that I often meet American politica
15、l leaders. They tell me frankly that they are coming for the benefit of the US. I tell them I work for China. So we have something in common. Look back three decades ago and the trade volume between China and US was only $1 billion. Last year it is more than $500 billion.We will continue to cooperat
16、e and promote mutual benefits. In the future there will be more opportunities for trade and investment. I do not deny that there are conflicts between China and the US. We should respect each other and control the disputes. Shared interests often override disputes. We can learn from each other to pr
17、omote friendship between the people and enhance the social foundation of China-US relations.China and the US both have expressed an intention to keep the Asia Pacific region steady and prosperous. I hope we do what we say.You asked about cyberattacks. This is a worldwide problem. China is the main t
18、arget of these attacks. China does not support it and firmly objects cyberattacks. What you just said makes me feel it is presumption of guilt. We should not make groundless criticisms and do more to protect cybersafety.UrbanizationLi said urbanization is the logical result of modernization and the
19、scale of Chinas urbanization is quite big and has attracted the attention of the world.Urbanization should help farmers to realize their dreams of having the same living standards as urban residents.New urbanization should come together with industrialization of the agricultural sector. Chinas east
20、and west regions should pursue organized urbanization.Urbanization is a complex project and needs to be supported by many reforms.Governments priorities for the futureThe 18th Party Congress has already laid out a comprehensive plan for the governments work. First, we need to strive for sustainable
21、development. We must be prepared for danger in times of safety because the future economic environment of China will remain harsh and complex. We need to maintain sustainable economic growth, prevent inflation and control potential risks so as to avoid major fluctuations in the Chinese economy. Dome
22、stic demand is crucial for China to maintain an average growth rate of 7 percent, which is necessary for China to realize the targets set for 2020. We need to promote economic transition and combine the potentials of domestic demand and the vigor of creativity so as to further upgrade quality, effic
23、iency, employment, peoples incomes and environmental protection and resources conservation.Second, we need to improve peoples livelihoods, especially among low-income groups, and expand middle-income groups. We need to ensure basic necessities for people and develop a social safety net to include co
24、mpulsory education, medical care, elderly care and housing. We need to improve the subsistence allowance system and provide assistance to people suffering from major diseases. The government will mobilize all resources and do its utmost to ensure the basic rights and dignity of the people.Third, we
25、need to ensure social fairness, which is the source of societal creativity and yardstick of the governments work. We need to make sure the hard work of all people, no matter from urban or rural areas, and regardless of their family backgrounds, is rewarded. We also need to make sure all wealth creat
26、ors, be they State-owned, private or individually run businesses, can achieve success as long as they compete in a level playing field and in a clean and honest way.Three things are essential for the government to achieve these goals. An innovative government will further unleash the creativity of t
27、he economy and society. A clean government will be more credible, effective and efficient. The government must work abiding by laws and nobody can exceed the boundary of law. The rule of law is essential to build a modern economy, modern society and modern government.Li on government overhaulThe pla
28、n for institutional reform and transforming the government function has drawn a lot of attention. Is this your ideal plan? How can the reform achieve the goal of streamlining administration, delegating power to the lower levels and transforming government function?The core of this reform plan is to
29、transform the government function and streamline administration. We can say the institutional reform is to optimize the distribution of the governments internal power, and the transforming function is to redefine the relations between the government and society and between government and the market.
30、Frankly speaking, let the market and society decide what they are capable of accomplishing. The government should manage affairs well in what it is supposed to do.Institutional reform is not an easy task. However, the function of transformation is a tougher one because it is more profound.The admini
31、strative examination and approval system is too complicated to improve efficiency. So the governments transformation work has to be started with reforming that system. Right now, departments of the State Council still hold the approval rights of more than 1,700 items, the government of this term has
32、 made up its mind to cut more than one-third of its approval items.Use the market to replace the improper roles of government. This is a self-imposed revolution and it will be painful, like cutting the wrist. But it is needed to develop and deliver the want of people. We should have the determination to cut the wrist like brave warriors. We should practice what we preach and cannot afford to dwell on the trivial.Government to increase care for most neededPremier Li said that the Chinese government needs to increase care for the most needed to prevent them from challenging the society. The
