China confident in meeting economic targets: premier

BEIJING, Sept. 30 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday reaffirmed China's confidence in achieving its goals for economic development in 2013.

"We have the confidence, conditions and ability to meet the main targets projected for our economic and social development this year," said Li while addressing a reception held at the Great Hall of the People to mark the 64th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Li said this year marks the first year in fully implementing the spirit of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Facing the complex domestic and international situation, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council made scientific judgements and decisions on forging ahead for new progress and results while maintaining stability, he explained.

China has taken the transformation of government functions as a breakthrough point in deepening reform. Various measures have been taken to properly handle the government's relationship with the market and society, release the dividends of reform and galvanize dynamism in the market, the internal driving force for development and the creativity of the general public, according to the premier.

A holistic approach has been adopted to strike a balance between maintaining growth, readjusting economic structure and promoting reform, and a series of policy measures have been carried out to serve both the immediate and long-term needs of development, Li said.

"We have kept our macro policies stable, innovated in adjustment methods, and effectively guided market expectations," he said, adding the Chinese economy has shown good momentum for further growth.

Li told his audience that China is currently at a crucial stage for economic readjustment and upgrading and still confronted with many challenges. There is still a long way to go before modernization is achieved.

He vowed China will accelerate its shift in growth model, intensify economic restructuring, and upgrade the national economy. He said employment will be taken as the basis of people's livelihood, while the government will step up efforts to develop social undertakings, such as education, medical care, public health and cultural projects, so as to ensure that the achievements of development benefit all the people in a more effective way.

According to Li, China will build a clean and law-based government, so that all members of society can access fair opportunities and a level playing field, and achieve the success that they deserve through their own efforts.

When it comes to Hong Kong and Macao, the premier reiterated that the central government will adhere to the principle of "one country, two systems," strictly follow the Basic Law and ensure long-term prosperity and stability in these regions.

"We will continue to promote peaceful development of cross-Straits relations for the benefit of people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits," Li went on.

He added that China will stay firm on the path of peaceful development, and uphold the principle of mutual benefit in international cooperation.

"China stands ready to share development opportunities with other countries and work in concert with them to tackle challenges, maintain world peace and regional stability, and create an even brighter future for mankind," the premier said.

Li also met with some new foreign ambassadors to China before the reception, and pledged to further bilateral ties with those countries.