Chinese government work report (key points) Updated

BEIJING, May 22 (Xinhua) --The following are key points in a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on Friday.

• China resolutely opposes ＂Taiwan independence＂ activities

China will resolutely oppose and deter any separatist activities seeking "Taiwan independence," said a government work report submitted Friday to the national legislature for deliberation.

The report said China will improve institutional arrangements, policies and measures to encourage cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, deepen cross-Strait integrated development and protect the wellbeing of Taiwan compatriots.
 

• China to increase basic pension for retirees

China will increase the basic pension for retirees and the minimum basic old-age pension for rural and non-working urban residents, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on Friday.

China will ensure the payments of pension fund on time and in full to nearly 300 million people, the report said.

• China to strengthen international anti-epidemic cooperation

China stands ready to work with other countries to strengthen international cooperation on epidemic control, said a government work report submitted Friday to the national legislature for deliberation.

In the face of global challenges including public health crisis and severe economic recession, all countries should work together, said the report.

• Central gov't to support HK, Macao in developing economies, improving living standards

The Chinese central government will support the country's Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions in developing the economies and improving living standards, said a government work report submitted Friday to the national legislature for deliberation.

The report said support will be offered to Hong Kong and Macao to better integrate their development into the overall development of the country and help them maintain long-term prosperity and stability.
 

• China to formulate 14th Five-Year Plan

China will formulate the 14th Five-Year Plan, drawing the blueprint for the country to embark on a new journey toward its second centenary goal, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on Friday.

• China to strengthen public health system development

China will strengthen the development of the public health system, according to a government work report submitted Friday to the national legislature for deliberation.

The report stressed improving the direct-reporting and early warning systems for infectious diseases, increasing spending on vaccines, drugs and fast testing technologies, increasing mobile labs and strengthening the supply of emergency materials, among others.

• China to carry out 7th population census

China will carry out its seventh population census this year, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on Friday.

• China to stabilize overall performance of foreign trade, investment

China will further stabilize foreign trade and actively leverage the role of foreign capital, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on Friday.

• China further lowers defense budget growth to 6.6 pct

China will continue to lower its defense budget growth rate to 6.6 percent in 2020, according to a draft budget report Friday.

It is the lowest defense budget growth rate in recent years.
 

• China to significantly shorten negative list for foreign investment
• China to safeguard energy security
• China to ensure more effective ecological, environmental protection
• China will place priorities on curbing pollution in a law-based, scientific and targeted way, and intensify efforts in fighting air pollution in key areas
• China to ensure food supply for 1.4 bln people through own efforts

       It is imperative and well within China's ability to ensure the food supply for 1.4 billion Chinese people through the country's own efforts, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on Friday.

To bolster agricultural production, the country will increase its area of high-standard cropland by 80 million mu (5.33 million hectares), the report said.

• 6.China to firmly safeguard multilateral trading regime

China will resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading regime and actively participate in reform of the World Trade Organization.

• 7.China to promote stable growth of housing market

China will stick to its principle of "housing is for living in, not for speculation," according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on Friday.

The country will implement city-specific policies to promote steady and healthy development of the real estate market, said the report.

• China to implement policy package to support epidemic-hit Hubei

China will implement a package of policies to support the development of epidemic-hit Hubei Province, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on Friday.

The policies will help ensure employment, public well-being and normal operations, and facilitate the full recovery of economic and social activities in Hubei.

• China to fully advance Internet Plus initiatives

China will fully advance Internet Plus initiatives across the board and create new competitive strengths in the digital economy, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on Friday.

• China to expand effective investment

China aims to expand effective investment with priority given to new infrastructure, new urbanization initiatives and major projects, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on Friday.

• China to promote recovery of consumption

 China will work to improve the consumption willingness and capabilities of domestic residents and support the recovery and development of consumer service sectors, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on Friday.

• China to keep improving environment for private sector's development

China will continue to foster an enabling environment for the development of the private sector and ensure private businesses have equal access to production factors and policy support, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on Friday.

The country will review relevant regulations to abolish those that unfairly differentiate enterprises according to ownership forms.

Deadlines will be set for government bodies to make overdue payments owed to private and small and medium-sized businesses, said the report.

• China to reduce corporate burden by over 2.5 trln yuan in 2020

China aims to reduce corporate burden by more than 2.5 trillion yuan (about 353 billion U.S. dollars) throughout the year, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on Friday.

• China not to ease regular COVID-19 prevention, control

China will spare no efforts in its regular prevention and control of COVID-19, nor will it lose any time in advancing its economic and social development agenda, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on Friday.
 

• China to enhance financial support for stable business operations

China will increase financial support to keep business operations stable, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on Friday.

Large commercial banks should increase inclusive finance lending to micro and small businesses by more than 40 percent, said the report.

• China to ensure eliminating rural poverty in 2020

China will ensure the elimination of poverty among all rural residents living below the current poverty line and in all poor counties this year, according to a government work report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation on Friday.

• China pledges efforts to minimize losses from COVID-19

China will redouble its efforts to minimize the losses resulting from COVID-19 and fulfill the targets and tasks for economic and social development this year
China's negative Q1 growth ＂a price worth paying＂ as life is invaluable: report

China's economy posted negative growth in the first quarter of this year, but it was "a price worth paying" to contain COVID-19 as life is invaluable, according to a government work report submitted Friday to the national legislature for deliberation.