State Council prioritises stabilisation of economic growth
State Council meeting chaired by new premier Li gives precedence to six sectors of the economy
The central government has made stabilising and sustaining economic growth and basic price stability policy priorities this year, according to a statement issued yesterday after a cabinet meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang.
Meanwhile, the division of labour among the nation's four vice-premiers is becoming clearer. Vice-premier Wang Yang, formerly the party chief in Guangdong, has been assigned to oversee the agriculture sector. He chaired a State Council work meeting on Tuesday concerning spring agricultural production and another meeting yesterday on forestry and fishery matters.
Vice-Premier Ma Kai , who commented on the railway sector during a trip to Zhengzhou this week, appears to be in charge of the transport sector.
Premier Li highlighted six major areas, comprising 48 items, as policy priorities.
He ordered government departments to "improve monitoring and in-depth analysis of the economic situation and combine tasks to stabilise growth, cap inflation, avoid risk and propel economic development".
"There are more uncertainties and unstable factors in domestic and external environments," the government warned.
To spur economic growth and keep the price of consumer goods stable, the government plans to further liberalise interest rates and exchange-rate markets, according to the statement, which was posted on a government website last night.