Premier Li Keqiang inspected the State Administration for Market Regulation and chaired a symposium.

Premier Li Keqiang inspected the State Administration for Market Regulation and chaired a symposium, emphasizing that…

Implement policies to help market entities overcome difficulties, and deepen reforms to further unleash market vitality and social creativity.

　　On January 9, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council visited the State Administration for Market Regulation and chaired a symposium. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Gao Jie.

　　BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) — On January 9, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council visited the State Administration for Market Regulation and chaired a symposium. He emphasized that, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, it is essential to implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Central Economic Work Conference, carry out the arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, ensure the effective implementation of policies aimed at helping market entities overcome difficulties, vigorously advance reform and innovation, and foster a favorable environment for market entities. Efforts should be focused on stabilizing growth, employment, and prices, and on promoting a steady economic recovery while keeping economic performance within an appropriate range.

　　At the Intellectual Property Office, Premier Li Keqiang listened to a briefing on the creation, protection, and utilization of intellectual property. He stated that in market competition, innovation is paramount; protecting intellectual property means safeguarding innovation and the primary productive force, and we must steadfastly pursue development driven by innovation. Upon learning that the average examination time for invention patents has been reduced by one-third compared with five years ago, Premier Li emphasized that innovation is hard-won and that we must provide higher‑quality, more efficient services to accelerate the commercialization and application of innovative成果, thereby boosting industrial upgrading and delivering tangible benefits to the people.

　　On January 9, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council visited the State Administration for Market Regulation and chaired a symposium. Here, he arrives at the Administration’s Data Analysis Center to learn about trends in the development of market entities. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Gao Jie.

　　Premier Li Keqiang visited the Data Analysis Center of the State Administration for Market Regulation to gain insights into trends in the development of market entities. According to the Administration, the number of market entities has grown from 55 million ten years ago to 169 million today, with individual business households accounting for over 110 million. Moreover, market entities in the eastern region comprise 46.5 percent of the national total. Premier Li emphasized that, over the past few years, we have vigorously implemented the “Six Stabilities” and “Six Guarantees” policies, with safeguarding market entities playing a pivotal role in ensuring employment stability, and that efforts to foster and expand market entities must be sustained.

　　At the symposium, the State Administration for Market Regulation presented a report. Premier Li Keqiang stated that over the past years, we have remained committed to market‑oriented reform, continuously deepened the “delegation, regulation, and service” reform, and worked to create a business environment that is market‑based, law‑based, and internationally competitive. We have streamlined administration and delegated power, lowered barriers and cut red tape, innovated and strengthened regulatory oversight to ensure fair competition and product quality and safety, and constantly improved public services by integrating regulation with support, thereby granting businesses and entrepreneurs greater freedom and convenience. These efforts have fostered mass entrepreneurship and innovation, giving rise to a wealth of new industries, business forms, and models. To alleviate the difficulties and burdens faced by market entities and help them operate with lighter loads, we have persistently implemented policies such as tax reductions, tax refunds, and fee cuts—measures that, in essence, “let the water flow to nurture the fish” and sustain the tax base. By combining reform‑driven vitality with policy‑based relief, we have nurtured and expanded the ranks of market entities, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the steady functioning of the economy.

　　Premier Li Keqiang stated that the economy is currently on a recovery trajectory, but market entities—particularly small, medium, and micro enterprises as well as individual business households—are facing significant challenges and new difficulties. It is essential to maintain policy stability and continue implementing the comprehensive package of measures and follow-up actions aimed at stabilizing the economy. Policies such as tax and fee reductions should be extended where appropriate and refined where necessary, and the previously scheduled VAT exemptions for small-scale taxpayers and the additional VAT credit policies for production‑related and consumer‑oriented service sectors should be effectively carried out. We will accelerate the implementation of major projects supported by financial instruments and expedite equipment upgrades and renovations, thereby generating tangible results. In light of actual conditions, we will promote the orderly resumption of consumption in the services sector. Addressing the concerns of market entities, we will help resolve bottlenecks in raw material supply, labor recruitment, and access to credit, and facilitate the swift resumption of work and production after the holiday period. Upholding the principle of “two unwavering commitments,” we will protect the property rights of all types of enterprises in accordance with the law, bolster the confidence of private enterprises, and foster the spirit of entrepreneurship. We will support the healthy and sustainable development of the platform economy, enabling it to better stimulate employment and consumption, connect production factors, and drive innovation. Building on the achievements of the “delegation, regulation, and service” reform, we will further unleash market vitality and social creativity. Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, all localities and departments must better coordinate epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development, strive to deliver strong performance in the first quarter, and ensure a solid start to this year’s economic growth.

　　Wang Yong and Xiao Jie attended the aforementioned events.