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 made by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and ensure the effective implementation of policies aimed at helping market entities overcome difficulties. He called for vigorous efforts to advance reform and innovation, cultivate a favorable environment for market entities, and focus on stabilizing growth, employment, and prices, thereby promoting a steady economic recovery and 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 period 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 promoting industrial upgrading and benefiting 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 a decade ago to 169 million today, with individual business households accounting for over 110 million. Moreover, market entities in the eastern region represent 46.5 percent of the national total. Premier Li Keqiang stated that, in recent years, we have vigorously implemented the “Six Stabilities” and “Six Guarantees” policies, with safeguarding market entities playing a crucial 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 eliminated unnecessary burdens; innovated and strengthened regulatory oversight to ensure fair competition and product quality and safety; and constantly improved services, integrating support into regulation. These efforts have granted the public greater freedom and convenience in doing business and starting enterprises, promoted mass entrepreneurship and innovation, and given rise to a wealth of new industries, business forms, and models. To alleviate the difficulties and pressures faced by market entities and help them operate with lighter burdens, 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 fostered and expanded 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 to stabilize the economy, along with follow-up policies. Tax and fee reductions, where appropriate, should be extended or further refined, and the previously scheduled VAT exemptions for small-scale taxpayers and the additional VAT credit for production‑ and lifestyle‑service sectors should be effectively carried out. We will accelerate the construction of major projects supported by financial instruments and the upgrading and renovation of equipment, ensuring that tangible progress is quickly translated into concrete results, while, in light of actual conditions, promoting the orderly resumption of consumer spending on services. We will address the concerns of market entities, help them overcome difficulties related to raw material supplies, labor, and access to credit, and facilitate the swift resumption of work and production after the holiday. 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 play its role in boosting employment and consumption, connecting production factors, and driving innovation. Building on the achievements of the “delegation, regulation, and service” reform, we will further unleash market vitality and social creativity. All localities and departments, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, must better coordinate epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development, strive to deliver a strong start to the year’s economic work, and ensure a favorable beginning to this year’s economic performance.

　　Wang Yong and Xiao Jie attended the aforementioned events.