Chinese Premier meets World Bank president

BEIJING, July 16 -- China is ready to enhance partnership with the World Bank to jointly withstand the downward pressure on the global economy, Premier Li Keqiang said during his meeting with World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim Thursday in Beijing.

Li said China will work with the World Bank to promote strong, sustainable and balanced growth of the world economy.

Li spoke highly of a joint research on China's health care reform, which was conducted by China, the World Bank and the World Health Organization(WHO).

Noting that health care reform is a big project concerning people's welfare, economic growth and employment, he hoped that the three parties could improve cooperation and make contributions to a health system that suits China's national conditions.

Li also briefed Kim on China's economic situation, saying the economy is stable and improved, running within a reasonable range and major economic indicators have rebounded in recent months.

With progress in job creation, expansion of domestic demand, and industrial structure adjustment, China's targeted fine-tuning measures and structural reform are increasingly effective, he said.

China is the world's largest developing country with 1.3 billion people, and its economy is resilient and has great potential, Li said.

He said China will continue to stimulate the vitality of the market by deepening reform and promoting mass entrepreneurship and innovation.

"We are well-positioned and capable of coping with various challenges, stabilizing market expectations and maintaining a sound economic development," he said.

Kim said China's economic growth has greatly contributed to the world economy.

The World Bank appreciates China's resolve to push forward reform and the positive measures it has taken to deal with challenges, he said, adding that the World Bank will continue to strengthen cooperation with China in the areas of urbanization and the health care reform.

He believes China will set up a high-quality, coordinated health system and provide a new route for reforms in other countries.