Determination for deeper changes

Premier Li's work report shows the government will resolutely press ahead to overcome the obstacles to much-needed reforms

Compared with previous ones, the debut Government Work Report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang to the ongoing annual session of China's top legislature on Wednesday was more concise, more plainly worded and more problem solving.

That the report was punctuated by applause more than 50 times in a little under two hours was an explicit demonstration of the full endorsement extended by thousands of National People's Congress deputies to Li's review of his government's performance over the past year and his plans for this year's work.

The report also showed the pragmatic approach and down-to-earth working style of both Li and his government.

"The premier involved himself in the drafting of the report from the beginning to end and told us not to include words that cannot be realized", said Xiang Dong, an official from the Research Office of the State Council who participated in the drafting of the report. "Each of the report's sentences was repeatedly considered and thus there are no redundant words."

Li's report has sparked anticipation of further reforms. In his 100-minute speech, the premier mentioned the word "reform" a record 77 times, showing his sober awareness that reforms are needed for China's further development and the resolving of a series of thorny issues that now loom large.

Through reforms and its demographic dividend, China has achieved continuous high-speed economic development for more than 30 years. However, the country's economic growth is now on a downward trajectory as its previous advantages lose steam. The weaker external demand as a result of the global economic slowdown and its ever-growing environmental and ecological pressures in particular pose severe challenges to its previous extensive economic model. It is already a national consensus that China must deepen reforms in some key areas and clear away some institutional obstacles to sustain a relatively fast and sustainable development pace in the years ahead.

"Reform has brought us the greatest benefits. Reform is the top priority for the government," Li said. "We must rely fully on the people and break mental shackles and vested interest groups to deepen reforms on all fronts."

During his one year in office, Li has proved himself to be a doer.