BEIJING: Premier Li Keqiang called on Thursday for China’s southeastern provincial-level regions to continue playing a pivotal role in supporting national development, stabilizing the economy and ensuring the nation’s fiscal strength.
Li made the remarks during a meeting in Fujian province, in which he discussed economic performance with top officials from Fujian, the governors of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces, and the mayor of Shanghai.
He noted that the foundation for economic recovery from the downturn in April and May is not yet solid, and more arduous efforts must be made to stabilize growth.
Li’s remarks came as China’s factory activity expanded in June for the first time in four months as new orders and production improved, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The purchasing managers index for China’s manufacturing sector in June came in at 50.2, compared with 49.6 in May, the bureau said.
Development is the foundation and the key for China to solve all its problems, he said, adding that more efficient coordination is required in the containment of COVID-19 and for economic growth. He stressed the importance of helping businesses restore their vitality and prioritizing measures to stabilize the job market and commodity prices.
–The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
