Experts, entrepreneurs make suggestions for gov't work report, 13th Five-Year Plan

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (C back) presides over a symposium to solicit opinions on the draft of the annual government work report and the country's 13th Five-Year Plan from leaders of non-Communist political parties, officials of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and prominent figures without party affiliation in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 25, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- Premier Li Keqiang on Monday held a symposium to solicit opinion from experts and entrepreneurs on the draft of the annual government work report and the country's 13th Five-Year Plan.

"It takes new perspective to observe the Chinese economy, as it has achieved growth with higher quality in terms of new growth drivers, people's income, energy saving and emission-reduction," participants at the symposium said.

China should continue promote innovation-driven growth through encouraging mass entrepreneurship and innovation, according to Gu Shengzu, a member of the Financial and Economic Committee of the National People's Congress, and Liu Shijin, an economist with the Development and Research Center under the State Council.

Hua Sheng, a professor at Southeast University, said that China should stick to reform and opening up and give priority to institutional and mechanism building.

Zhu Haibin, chief China economist at JP Morgan, made suggestions on digesting excess capacity and promoting "new-type" urbanization.

Guan Qing, chair of China State Construction Engineering Corp. said China should improve its industry standards and sharp the image of "built by China."

Lu Guanqiu, board chairman of China's leading auto-part maker Wanxiang Group, said the government should press ahead with streamlining administration to mobilize the enthusiasm of private enterprises and capital.

Cao Guowei, CEO of news portal Sina, suggested that Internet platforms might play a role in upgrading traditional industries.

Li exchanged opinions with the experts and entrepreneurs, and said that reform and opening up remains the "magic weapon" for achieving growth.

"The most important thing at present is making the economy rely less on natural resources than on talent," he said.

He reiterated that the government should take good care of laid-off workers from industries with overcapacity, especially the coal and steel sectors.

Li will deliver the final work report at the annual session of the National People's Congress in March.