China needs reforms for economic development: Premier Li

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets entrepreneurs attending the Summer Davos Forum in the city of Dalian in Northeast China's Liaoning province on Sept 10, 2013. [Photo by Zou Hong / chinadaily.com.cn]

DALIAN - Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday that China will have to rely on reforms to achieve long-term, sustainable and healthy development of its economy as the nation's current achievements were due to reforms more than 30 years ago.

In response to questions raised by visiting business representatives ahead of the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2013, also known as Summer Davos, Li said the key to economic reforms is to "balance well the roles of the government, the market and society."

The government should let the market carry its roles in order to induce more vitality, Li said.

The premier said the government has reformed its administrative approval system this year, scrapping or relegating more than 200 approval rights, which were previously held by the government.

The reforms have affected the vested interests by removing the approval rights of many government departments, thus reducing the opportunities for corruption, Li said.

China will also create a fair environment for market competition, letting all kinds of enterprises enjoy the same access to opportunities. Meanwhile, the government will continued to crack down on infringement of intellectual property rights and fraudulence, said the premier.

"Our purpose of reforms is to let more people enjoy the fruits they will bring," Li said.

Summer Davos is scheduled to start on Sept 11-13 in Dalian, a port city in northeast China's Liaoning province.