Chinese premier chairs State Council executive meeting

BEIJING - A State Council executive meeting chaired by Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday called for more concrete measures to promote sustained innovation-driven, high-quality and sound economic development and ensure a good start to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

The meeting called for improving the effectiveness of macro policy implementation, making full and effective use of existing policies, and planning and introducing pragmatic and effective incremental policies in a timely manner.

It urged efforts to effectively expand domestic demand, including by rolling out a package of strong measures in areas with great potential and strong driving effects, accelerating major projects set out in the 15th Five-Year Plan, and steadily advancing the planning and construction of the "six major networks," namely water networks, new-type power grids, computing power networks, next-generation communication networks, urban underground pipeline networks, and logistics networks.

The meeting stressed the need to strengthen endogenous drivers of development and adopt more concrete and effective measures to build a unified national market and improve the business environment.

Continued efforts are needed to prevent and address risks in key areas, ensure robust disaster prevention, mitigation and relief, enhance workplace safety, strengthen support for people in need, and guarantee that basic living needs are met, said the meeting.

The meeting heard reports on the development of new-type power grids and logistics networks, calling for high-quality construction of new-type power grids and accelerated development of logistics networks.

Regarding the health-first development strategy, the meeting called for deepening reform of the medical and healthcare system, improving public health, medical services, and medical security systems, advancing scientific and technological innovation in medicine and pharmaceuticals, and promoting production methods and lifestyles that support better health.

The meeting reviewed and approved two draft State Council decisions on amending the Regulations on Management of Housing Provident Fund and on amending and repealing certain administrative regulations.

The meeting decided to approve four nuclear power projects, including the first phase of the Zhuanghe nuclear power project in northeast China's Liaoning Province.

It stressed absolute safety in nuclear power development. Nuclear power units must be built and operated in accordance with the highest global safety standards, relevant entities must shoulder their primary responsibilities, and safety supervision must be strengthened across the entire chain and in all areas.