Premier Li Keqiang meets the press

China to continue search for missing plane as long as there is glimmer of hope: Premier

China will not give up its efforts in searching for a missing Malaysia Airlines flight with 154 Chinese aboard as long as there is a glimmer of hope, Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday.

"We will not give up any suspected clue that is being found," he said. "We are also looking very closely at all suspected clues showing on satellite images."

China's debt risk within control: Premier

China attaches high attention on government debt and risk in the area is generally within control, Premier Li Keqiang said at a press conference on Thursday.

Citing an official audit of government debts last year, Li said the country's debt-to-GDP ratio is still below the internationally recognized warning line.

Timetable set for implementing Basel III: Chinese premier

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Thursday that the authorities had set a timetable for implementing the Basel III accord in tightening regulative measures over shadow banking.

"Concerning financial risks such as shadow banking, we are tightening regulation and have set a timetable for implementing the regulative measures under the Basel III accord," Li said.

China to enhance common interests, narrow disputes with neighbors: Premier Li

China will enhance common interests and narrow disputes with neighboring countries for the sake of peace and stability, said Premier Li Keqiang here Thursday.

China has unwavering commitment to pursuing peaceful development and unshakable will in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, both for the sake of upholding stability and creating a favorable environment for its development, said Li at a press conference after the annual parliamentary session ended.

Chinese premier vows 'zero-tolerance' to corruption

China will show "zero-tolerance" to corrupt officials no matter "how senior his position is," Premier Li Keqiang said at a press conference Thursday after the annual parliamentary session concluded.

"China is a country under rule of law. No matter who he is, and how senior his position is, if he violates Party discipline and the law of the country, he will be punished to the full extent, because everybody is equal before the law," Li said.

Premier Li stresses confidence in Hong Kong's competitive edge, prosperity

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang expressed his confidence Thursday in Hong Kong's competitive edge and ability to maintain prosperity.

"We will continue to support Hong Kong in maintaining and elevating its status as an international financial, trading and shipping center," he said.

China to better handle relations between government, market: Premier Li

Premier Li Keqiang said Thursday that the Chinese government will better handle the relationship between the government and the market, so as to add new impetus to the Chinese economy and boost the creativity and dynamism from all sides.

Last year, the Chinese central government took streamlining administration and delegating power to lower-level governments as the top priority on the reform agenda, Li told a press conference after the conclusion of the annual legislative session.

Premier Li calls for new progress in mainland-Taiwan ties

Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday called for new progress in relations between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.

"I hope to see even greater, new progress in cross-Strait ties this year," Li said.

Fiscal, tax, financial reforms high on agenda: Chinese premier

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Thursday that fiscal, tax and financial reforms had been set as a priority on the country's overall reform agenda in 2014.

"In the course of comprehensively deepening reform, we certainly need to be focused on key reforms and initiatives and we need to see breakthroughs in key areas," Li said.

China needs tough measures, regulations to fight pollution: Premier

China needs both tough measures and tough regulations to fight pollution, Premier Li Keqiang said Thursday.

olluters, which harm both nature and human health, will be severely punished, said Li, when responding to a question about smog that frequently blanketed Beijing and some other major cities since winter.

China, U.S. should expand common interests: Premier Li

China and the United States should expand common interests while respecting each other's core interests and major concerns and properly managing differences to further the level of bilateral relationship, Premier Li Keqiang said here Thursday.

The common interests between China and the United States far outweigh their differences, Li told a press conference after the close of the annual national legislative session.

Chinese premier says GDP target flexible, stresses employment

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday there is a level of flexibility when the government sets the growth target at around 7.5 percent this year, stressing rather the importance of enough jobs for the public.

"We are not preoccupied with GDP growth. The growth that we want is one that brings real benefits to the people," Li said.

Timetable set to regulate shadow banking: Premier

China has set a timetable concerning the regulation over shadow banking, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Thursday.

China able to keep economic operation in proper range: Premier

Premier Li Keqiang said Thursday that Chinese economy has "tremendous potential and resilience" and the country has the ability and conditions to keep its economic operation in a proper range.

China, EU trade disputes can be solved: Premier Li

China and the European Union (EU) can work out a solution to their trade disputes through mutual respect and proper consultations, said Premier Li Keqiang here Thursday.

"As long as the two sides respect each other and engage in proper consultations, problems can be solved," Li said, citing last year's trade dispute case of photovoltaic products as a successful example.

China to curb housing speculation: Premier Li

China will take a differential approach to regulate the housing market, and curb speculation and investment-oriented purchases, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said here on Thursday.

At a press conference held at the end of China's annual parliamentary session, Li said China will support people's reasonable needs for housing and will increase the supply of ordinary commercial housing in the market.

Premier Li promises to promote social fairness, improve people's livelihood

"We need to meet people's basic living needs, to provide the last resort for people to fall back on in case of special difficulty, and to promote social fairness," Li said at a press conference shortly after the conclusion of China's annual legislative session, calling them three major tasks for the government this year.