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" Zhao Chenxin, Vice Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission: Good morning, friends from the press! First of all, on behalf of the National Development and Reform Commission, we would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks to all journalists and friends from all walks of life for their long-term concern, support and assistance to the development and reform work.
In the past year, faced with a challenging international environment and arduous tasks of reform, development and stability at home, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core, China effectively responded to the impact of uncertainties, made new achievements in economic and social development, and basically fulfilled the main objectives and tasks of development for the whole year. Yesterday, the Report on the Implementation of the 2022 Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Draft Plan for National Economic and Social Development in 2023, drafted by the CPC Central Committee, was submitted to the First Session of the 14th National People's Congress for review and consideration by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The report comprehensively summarizes the implementation of the National Economic and Social Development Plan for 2022, and the report card of the past year can be briefly summarized in a few words. In the first sentence, the overall performance is very bright. China's gross domestic product (GDP) reached a new level of 120 trillion yuan, an increase of 6.1 trillion yuan equivalent to the annual GDP of a medium-sized country. With global inflation reaching a 40-year high, China's consumer price index (CPI) rose by 2.0%. 12.06 million new urban jobs were created, exceeding the annual target; By the end of last year, China's foreign exchange reserves were stable at 3. On the whole, China's economy has performed very well among the major economies. Under the impact of multiple uncertainties, it is not easy to achieve such results, which is worth cherishing. Second, the quality of development has been steadily improved. The role of innovation in leading development has been continuously strengthened, and the R & D investment of the whole society has exceeded 3 trillion yuan for the first time, and the ratio of R & D to GDP has increased to 2. The pace of structural adjustment in the fields of industry, region, investment, consumption and trade has been accelerated, the development of green cycle and low carbon has been steadily promoted, the achievements of poverty alleviation have been continuously consolidated, the social security system has been continuously improved, and the level of public services has been steadily improved. The third sentence is that the foundation of security development is constantly consolidated. Fiscal and financial operations are generally sound, and the balance of payments is good, both of which are important foundations for security and development. Grain production has been stable for eight consecutive years, with 19 consecutive bumper harvests.
The achievements of this year can be seen in a longer time span, which can be seen more comprehensively, deeply and objectively. Looking at the past five years, the past five years have been extremely unusual and extraordinary. China has always adapted to the world's national conditions, social conditions and public opinion to promote economic and social development, effectively and effectively responded to the unprecedented changes in the world in a century, the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, the domestic economic downturn and other multiple tests. Over the past five years, the average annual economic growth rate has been 5.2%, which is significantly higher than that of the world in the same period. Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, China's epidemic prevention and control has achieved a major and decisive victory. Looking back at the 10 years of the new era, China's economic and social development has made historic achievements and made historic changes, which is the 10 years of turning to high-quality development. China's total economic output has leaped to a new level continuously, and its contribution to world economic growth ranks first, especially in historically solving the problem of absolute poverty and winning the battle against poverty. Building a well-off society in an all-round way on schedule provides a more perfect system guarantee, a more solid material foundation and a more active spiritual force for Chinese-style modernization.
This year is the first year to fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, a crucial year to implement the 14th Five-Year Plan, and an important year to lay the foundation for building a socialist modern country in an all-round way. We will adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as a guide, comprehensively implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC and the Central Economic Work Conference, firmly promote Chinese-style modernization, adhere to the general tone of steady progress, completely, accurately and comprehensively implement the new development concept, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, strive to promote high-quality development, and better coordinate domestic and international development. We should better coordinate epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development, better coordinate development and security, comprehensively deepen reform and opening-up, vigorously boost market confidence, organically combine the implementation of the strategy of expanding domestic demand with the deepening of structural reform on the supply side, highlight the work of stabilizing growth, employment and prices, and effectively prevent and resolve major risks. To achieve effective improvement in quality and reasonable growth in quantity, to continuously improve people's livelihood, to maintain social stability, to make a good start for building a socialist modern country in an all-round way, and to make new and greater contributions with our practical actions.
China Central Radio and Television (CCTV): Since the beginning of this year, China's economy has continued to recover, and both investment and consumption are relatively hot. Can current recovery trend be sustained? The "two sessions" have set a growth target of 5%. How do you view this target? What measures will the National Development and Reform Commission take to achieve these goals? Let me answer them one by one.
Over the past three years, China's anti-epidemic and epidemic prevention process has been extraordinary. Practice has fully proved that the Party Central Committee's major judgments on the epidemic situation, major decisions on epidemic prevention and major adjustments to provention and control strategies are completely correct, the measures are effective, the masses are recognized, and the results are enormous. Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core, China has won a decisive victory in epidemic prevention and control. At present, as you mentioned, with the optimization and adjustment of epidemic prevention and control policies and measures, the implementation of various policies has been effective, the flow of people and logistics has been accelerated, and the economic operation has been steadily improved. You just talked about consumption and investment. From the perspective of consumption, since the Spring Festival this year, the consumer market has shown a good trend, and the consumption of travel, catering and retail services has recovered substantially, creating a good start for the first quarter and even the whole year. From the perspective of investment, in recent years, major projects around the country have been started intensively, and policies such as policy-oriented development financial instruments, medium- and long-term loans for manufacturing industry, and equipment renovation and transformation in key areas have effectively promoted "capital and elements follow the project" and provided strong support for the economic recovery. All these fully show that China's economy has strong resilience and potential, the good situation of sustained and healthy economic development has not changed, and the fundamentals of long-term economic improvement have not changed. The annual economic growth target of about 5% that
you are concerned about can be understood and grasped from three aspects. First of all, China is still a developing country, and development is the top priority. To achieve the goals and tasks set by the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, we need to maintain reasonable economic growth for a long time on the basis of improving the quality and efficiency of development. At the same time, we also need to maintain a certain economic growth rate by comprehensively promoting the expansion of employment, improving people's livelihood, and preventing and defusing risks. Secondly, the expected target of about 5% is in line with the trend of economic operation and the law of economic development. It is also conducive to guiding all parties to pay more attention to improving the quality and efficiency of economic development, speeding up the construction of a new development pattern and promoting high-quality development. Third, all regions are confident and energetic in their development. The people's congresses of all regions have set their own economic growth targets for this year. We have made statistics and analysis. Among the 31 provinces, 27 provinces have set their economic growth targets higher than those of the whole country, and 23 of them are 5.
The third question is what measures should be taken in the next step. The Central Economic Work Conference has made a comprehensive plan for this year's economic work, and the next step is to work with relevant parties to implement it in a down-to-earth manner and to implement all the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee. On the whole, we should adhere to the principle of stability and steady progress, firmly grasp the "six better overall plans" emphasized by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the Central Economic Work Conference, and highlight the work of stabilizing growth, employment and prices. Specifically, there are five key tasks. Firstly, we should strengthen macro-policy regulation and control, maintain policy continuity and coordination, enhance effectiveness and pertinence, strengthen the overall cohesion and coordination of various policies, and do a good job in evaluating the consistency between various policies and macro-policy orientation. Last year, we implemented the deployment of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, and made great efforts to do a good job of consistency assessment, with very good results. This year, in accordance with the requirements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, we will further do a good job of consistency assessment on the basis of summing up experience and form greater policy synergy. Second, we should organically combine the implementation of the strategy of expanding domestic demand with the deepening of structural reform on the supply side, further release the consumption potential of residents, promote faster and more investment to form a physical workload, carry out the strategy of innovation-driven development in depth, accelerate the construction of a modern industrial system, and adapt, guide and create high-quality products and services. Promote a virtuous circle of supply and demand at a higher level. Third, we should build a high-level socialist market economic system, promote high-level opening to the outside world, and constantly stimulate the vitality of development. Fourthly, we should coordinate development and security, properly handle and resolve risks in real estate, finance, local government debt and other fields, and effectively strengthen security capacity building in food, energy resources, important industrial chains and supply chains. Fifth, we should implement the policy of giving priority to employment, strengthen basic public services, and continuously safeguard and improve people's livelihood. At the same time, we will further strengthen economic monitoring, forecasting, early warning and policy pre-research reserves, constantly enrich the policy toolbox, adhere to the bottom line thinking, make preparations for dealing with complex and difficult situations, firmly grasp the initiative of work, and promote the overall economic operation.
Cover news reporter: Global inflation was high last year, but China's overall price level continued to run smoothly. How do you view China's price situation this year? What measures will be taken to stabilize prices? Domestic prices continued to run smoothly, with the consumer price index (CPI) rising by no more than 3% in a single month and only 2% in the whole year, in sharp contrast to the high international inflation.
This year, due to geopolitical conflicts, imported inflation risks and other factors, domestic prices are still facing some uncertain and unstable factors. However, it should be noted that China's grain "19 years of continuous bumper harvest" has been maintained at 1. At the same time, pig production capacity is reasonable and abundant, commodity supply is adequate, energy security is strong, and the system of guaranteeing supply and stabilizing prices is further improved. It can be said that the foundation for maintaining stable prices is very solid, and we are confident and capable of achieving the expected CPI target for the whole year.
The Central Economic Work Conference stressed the need to do a good job in stabilizing growth, employment and prices. In the next step, we will resolutely implement a series of decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on stabilizing prices, and focus on four aspects of work: First, we will further strengthen monitoring, forecasting, and early warning. Keep a close eye on the changes in the international and domestic markets of key commodities and important commodities for people's livelihood, strengthen the analysis and judgment of supply and demand and price trends, and take timely and targeted regulatory measures. Two, we should further strengthen the supply and price of important commodities for people's livelihood. Fully implement the national food security strategy, consolidate the "vegetable basket" mayor responsibility system, stabilize production and supply, strengthen the link between production and marketing, carry out reserve regulation, and ensure market supply. The three is to further strengthen the supply and price stability of energy and other commodities.Stabilize coal production, strengthen reserve capacity building, continue to do a good job in coal price regulation and supervision, and guide coal prices to operate in a reasonable range. We will intensify the exploration and development of domestic oil, gas and mineral resources, promote the increase of reserves and production, and enhance the supply guarantee capacity. The four is to further strengthen market supervision and expected guidance. We will strengthen the joint supervision of the spot and futures markets and severely crack down on illegal and irregular acts such as hoarding and raising prices. We should strengthen policy publicity and information dissemination and interpretation, and respond to social concerns in a timely manner.
Phoenix Satellite TV: Many commentators have made such an analysis. Last year, China's economy grew by 3%, while the US economy grew by 2. This question also reminds us that many friends may have some doubts when they look at the relevant data. As for your question, I would like to make a few points for your reference.
First, I would like to emphasize that in 2022, under the impact of multiple unexpected factors, China's economic and social development has made remarkable achievements. I used three sentences at the beginning, that is, the comprehensive performance is very bright, the quality of development is steadily improving, and the foundation of security development is constantly consolidated. At the same time, from a number of economic indicators, China's performance in the world's major economies is very prominent. Lengthen the time span, from 5 years, 10 years, more comprehensive and in-depth view of last year's achievements. The comprehensive performance is outstanding, which can highlight the quality and level of China's economic development.
Second, when reading and observing economic data, we should analyze the exact meaning of these data. Last year, China's economy grew by 3%, the United States by 2.1%, and some major economies by 2.1%. 1. You mentioned the comparison of the total GDP between China and the United States. When calculating the total GDP, all countries use the nominal GDP calculated at the current price of their own currency. The price factor will have an important impact on the calculation of the nominal GDP scale. Last year, the United States had high inflation, with CPI and PPI increasing by 8% and 16.5% respectively, while China's prices were very stable last year, with CPI and PPI rising by 2% and 4% respectively. The high inflation in the United States has greatly increased the nominal GDP scale. Of course, living under the high inflation level, whether the people have a sense of gain or not, I believe that the residents of our country have the most experience. Compared with the total GDP, the scale of China's GDP denominated in RMB should also be converted into US dollars, in which the exchange rate will also have an important impact. To curb high domestic inflation, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates seven times in 2022, totaling 425 basis points, and the federal funds rate reached its highest level since 2007. The rise of US dollar interest rate has caused other currencies to depreciate passively against the US dollar, and the RMB exchange rate has also been affected to a certain extent, resulting in a certain reduction in the total GDP scale. I provide this information for you and everyone to observe and analyze these economic data, and analyze the true and accurate meaning for some reference.
Third, China's development is people-centered and aimed at benefiting the people. We are doing our own thing in a down-to-earth manner, constantly improving ourselves, surpassing ourselves, becoming a better China, enabling the Chinese people to live a better life through development, and at the same time making greater and greater contributions to world peace and development through China's development. As a large country with a population of more than 1.4 billion and the largest developing country in the world, China concentrates its efforts on running its own affairs well, which is in itself a major contribution to human development. We uphold the win-win strategy of opening up, actively participate in economic globalization, and commit ourselves to the common development of all countries. We are willing to make new contributions to world economic development with the new achievements of China's development, and we welcome all countries to take the "express train" and "free ride" of China's development with open arms.
Fourthly, China's economy is doing well as a whole, and many international institutions have recently raised their expectations for China's economic growth. This year is a very important year and the first year to fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. It is of great significance to do a good job in economic and social development this year. The whole country has a high degree of consensus, and all localities and departments are taking solid, pragmatic and effective measures. We are full of confidence in the prospect of achieving this year's annual goals and promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in an all-round way with Chinese-style modernization. Lianhe Zaobao of
Singapore: Last year, the contribution of consumption to China's economy was significantly reduced. China's top leaders have proposed that priority should be given to restoring and expanding consumption this year. How do you assess the current consumption situation in China? What are the unfavorable factors that restrict consumption? What measures will the authorities take to promote consumption?
Li Chunlin: You have just raised three questions: First, how to evaluate the current consumption situation in China? Second, what are the unfavorable factors that restrict consumption? Third, what measures will be taken to promote consumption? Generally speaking, China's consumer market has shown a rapid recovery trend, with more frequent population flows among regions, a substantial increase in cross-provincial travel and tourism, a rapid recovery in catering, culture, entertainment and other industries, and a "red start" in consumption at the beginning of the year by superimposing traditional long holidays such as the Spring Festival and Glutinous Rice Balls for Lantern Festival. Here is a set of data, during the Spring Festival this year, domestic tourism revenue and the number of people increased by 375.8 billion yuan and 308 million, respectively, an increase of 30% and 23. The income of consumption-related industries increased by 12.2%, and the online retail sales of physical goods increased by 14. At present, some uncertainties restricting the release of consumption are gradually being eliminated. With the rapid release of consumption potential, the growth rate of major indicators in the consumption sector is expected to gradually pick up in the first half of the year. Looking forward to the whole year, consumption can become the main driving force of economic growth and play a better fundamental role in economic growth. This is a prediction of this year's consumption situation.
The Central Economic Work Conference stressed that more priority should be given to restoring and expanding consumption. Director Zhao Chenxin just mentioned that last year's Central Economic Work Conference put forward the idea of stability, steady progress, steady growth, stable employment and stable prices. Consumption plays a vital role in stabilizing growth and plays a fundamental role.
Next, we will fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Central Economic Work Conference, promote the sustained recovery and expansion of consumption, and focus on four aspects of work:
First, we will take various measures to promote the steady growth of consumption. To formulate and promulgate policy documents on restoring and expanding consumption, and to introduce practical and effective policy measures around stabilizing bulk consumption, promoting service consumption, expanding rural consumption and creating a safe consumption environment, so as to release the consumption potential of residents.
The second is to enhance the consumption capacity of residents. Consumption capacity comes from employment and income, so we must innovate the virtuous circle promotion mechanism of employment, income distribution and consumption chain, increase the income of urban and rural residents through multiple channels, and do a good job in ensuring the supply and price of basic consumer goods, so that residents can consume with stable income and dare to consume without worries.
Third, improve the consumption environment. We will further improve the system and mechanism of promoting consumption, study and formulate policy documents on creating a safe consumption environment, improve the standard quality management system, improve the multi-resolution mechanism of consumer disputes, and the online mediation mechanism of consumer disputes, so as to continuously optimize the consumption environment and make people feel willing to consume.
Fourth, foster new growth points of consumption. We will vigorously advocate green consumption and new consumption, support consumption in key areas such as housing improvement, new energy vehicles, pension services, education, medical care, culture, health and sports, encourage the development of new consumption formats, new models and new scenarios, and further stimulate the vitality of the consumer market. In the
new year, there are many policy tools in our policy toolbox to deal with the adverse factors that restrict consumption. We are confident and capable of ensuring the implementation of measures to promote consumption this year and making greater contributions to consumption in the annual GDP growth rate of about 5%.
Bloomberg News: Infrastructure investment played an important role in economic growth last year, but this year, due to the increasing financial pressure on local governments, how do you expect the growth rate of infrastructure investment this year? In 2022, China's fixed asset investment increased by 5.1% year-on-year, with infrastructure investment and manufacturing investment increasing by 9.4% and 9% respectively.
This year, we will fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the deployment of the Central Economic Work Conference, continue to do a good job in expanding effective investment, and firmly promote the construction of major projects. Through government investment and policy incentives, we can effectively drive the investment of the whole society, consolidate the good momentum of stable growth of infrastructure investment and manufacturing investment, and further enhance the key role of investment in optimizing the supply structure. We will focus on the following four areas:
First, we will focus on weak areas and weak links, and accelerate the development of key areas. Orderly implementation of 102 major projects in the 14th Five-Year Plan. We should strengthen the construction of food security, energy security, industrial chain and supply chain security. We will accelerate the construction of major infrastructure such as transportation, water conservancy and energy. We should strengthen investment in manufacturing and high-tech industries and systematically lay out new infrastructure. We will accelerate the renovation of urban gas pipelines, urban waterlogging control, social undertakings and other areas of people's livelihood.
Second, we should give full play to the role of various investment policies and promote the construction of major projects as a whole. We should adhere to the requirements of "projects follow planning" and "capital elements follow projects", make good use of the experience and practice of promoting the coordination mechanism of important projects for effective investment, and constantly improve the long-term working mechanism for expanding effective investment. According to the Plan Report submitted to the First Session of the 14th National People's Congress for review yesterday, 680 billion yuan will be invested in the central budget this year. Next, we will further optimize the investment structure and concentrate our efforts on major, difficult and urgent matters at the national level. We will actively organize preparations for local government special bond projects and urge local governments to speed up the issuance and use of special bonds and start construction of projects. We will continue to accelerate the construction of policy-oriented development financial instruments projects started last year and strive to form more physical workload.
Third, we should strengthen the project reserve and continuously improve the quality of the preliminary work of investment projects. To guide local governments to continuously reserve a number of key projects that are beneficial to both the present and the long term, and to lay a good foundation for expanding effective investment. Promote the local government to deepen the research and demonstration in the early stage of the project, and effectively improve the quality and efficiency of the early stage of the project. Coordinate with relevant parties to strengthen the guarantee of project land use, environmental impact assessment and other factors.
Four, we should further stimulate the vitality of private investment and constantly optimize the investment environment. Establish and improve the mechanism for private investment to participate in the construction of major projects, make good use of the docking mechanism for investment and financing cooperation of social capital, and encourage more private capital to participate in the construction of major national projects and short-board projects. Publicize and popularize advanced experience, and earnestly implement the policy documents supporting the development of private investment. Private capital should be guided to revitalize stock assets in various ways. Promote high-quality private investment projects to issue infrastructure REITs.
As for the issue of local government special bonds you mentioned, local government special bonds have become an important source of funds for local government construction projects. In accordance with the deployment requirements of the State Council, next step, our committee will earnestly fulfill its responsibility of "investing in and screening projects", guide local governments to continue to do a good job in planning, reserving and pre-work of special bond projects, strengthen project auditing and control in accordance with the way of batch declaration and rolling promotion, and urge local governments to follow the project in accordance with the "capital elements". All of them are selected from the list of preparatory projects screened by our committee to arrange for issuance. In particular, those included in the list of preparatory projects are infrastructure and public service projects that conform to the plan, are led by the government, must be done sooner or later, and have certain benefits. At the same time, on the basis of the current investment fields of transportation, energy, agriculture, forestry and water conservancy, social undertakings, municipal and industrial parks, and new infrastructure, and in accordance with the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, we will actively study and further expand the investment fields of special bonds in conjunction with relevant parties.
Xinhua News Agency: The implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan has entered its third year. The mid-term evaluation has been carried out during the implementation of the previous five-year plans. Can you brief us on the progress of this year's mid-term evaluation? This year is a crucial year for the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan. Doing a good job in the mid-term evaluation is of great significance to the smooth implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan. In accordance with the Law on the Supervision of the Standing Committees of the People's Congresses at All Levels and the relevant arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, we are working with relevant parties to carry out a mid-term evaluation of the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan, comprehensively summarize the progress of the implementation of the Plan, thoroughly analyze the difficulties and challenges faced, and study and put forward targeted policies and measures for further deepening the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan.
From the perspective of evaluation scope, the mid-term evaluation work mainly includes three aspects, the first is the implementation of the Outline of the National "14th Five-Year Plan", the second is the implementation of the national special plan, and the third is the implementation of the local "14th Five-Year Plan". Among them, the mid-term evaluation of the implementation of the Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan is led by the National Development and Reform Commission, and other relevant departments cooperate with each other according to their functions. The mid-term evaluation of the implementation of the national special plan is led by the relevant departments, and the mid-term evaluation of the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan is led by the local development and reform departments.
From the perspective of evaluation focus, the mid-term evaluation work focuses on the macro, meso and micro levels, focusing on the main objectives and indicators, promoting high-quality development, major strategic tasks, major projects and changes in the development situation. At the same time, we should strengthen innovation in the aspects of evaluation subject, evaluation form, evaluation process and evaluation criteria, and effectively achieve the combination of self-evaluation and third-party evaluation, comprehensive evaluation and thematic evaluation, goal-oriented and problem-oriented, process evaluation and effect evaluation, standardization and personalization, objective evaluation and subjective experience.
Prior to this, we have officially issued a notice, inviting relevant departments of the central and state organs and local development and reform commissions to carry out self-assessment simultaneously. At the same time, we will also entrust relevant parties to carry out a series of thematic studies and third-party assessments in light of the actual situation. At present, all the work is progressing in an orderly manner.
Next, we will conduct in-depth investigations and studies, widely listen to opinions and suggestions from all sides, comprehensively, accurately and objectively assess the progress of the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan, and make every effort to promote the orderly implementation of the main objectives and tasks set out in the 14th Five-Year Plan, so as to make a good start for the solid promotion of Chinese-style modernization.
China News Service of Hong Kong: In recent years, the international grain market has fluctuated greatly, and food security has become an issue of general concern to all parties. How do you view China's current and future food security situation, and how to ensure China's food security for a large country with a population of more than 1.4 billion?
food security is the "great power of the country". General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly stressed that the Chinese people's rice bowls should be firmly in their hands at all times, and the rice bowls are mainly filled with Chinese grain. In recent years, uncertain and unpredictable factors around the world have been intertwined, and the international grain market has experienced frequent and significant fluctuations. We have worked with relevant parties to conscientiously implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and responded to the uncertainties of the external environment with the certainty of stable domestic production and supply. The domestic grain market has always maintained a good momentum of adequate supply and stable operation. Judging from last year's situation, in the face of unexpected factors such as the delay of the COVID-19 epidemic and extreme weather, with the joint efforts of all parties, China's grain production has reaped another bumper harvest, reaching a record high of 1373.1 billion Jin, which has been maintained at 1 for eight consecutive years. Overall, China's grain supply and price have been stable, grain production has been bumper year after year, market regulation has been constantly improved, and the circulation system is safe and reliable. Stocks are at a high level, the ability to cope with major natural disasters and public emergencies continues to improve, the overall food security situation is good, and the food supply can meet the needs of the people's daily consumption and the development of related industries.
China has a population of more than 1.4 billion, and solving the problem of food has always been the top priority in governing the country, and the string of ensuring national food security can not be relaxed for a moment. We will adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, implement grain storage on the ground and technology, always adhere to the national food security strategy of "self-centered, based on domestic production, ensuring production capacity, moderate imports, and scientific and technological support", and comprehensively implement measures around all aspects of grain production, purchase, storage and marketing, so as to comprehensively promote grain production, circulation and storage. Consolidate the foundation of food security in an all-round way. On the one hand, we should make every effort to do a good job in grain production. We will fully implement the same responsibilities of the Party and the government for food security and cultivated land protection, improve support policies for major grain producing areas, major sales areas and balanced production and marketing areas, and ensure the stability of grain sown area. We will launch a new round of action to increase the production capacity of 100 billion kilograms of grain, continue to promote the project to increase the production capacity of soybeans and oilseeds, carry out in-depth actions to revitalize the seed industry, and accelerate the tackling of key core technologies in agriculture. On the other hand, we will make every effort to ensure market supply. We will continue to improve the ability to control grain purchasing and storage, strengthen the balance of total grain and market regulation, and do a solid job in grain purchasing. We should strengthen the construction of grain storage and logistics facilities and make good arrangements for the sale of grain stocks. We will continue to improve the national food emergency security system. In short, we have the foundation, the conditions, the ability and the confidence to secure the rice bowls of the Chinese people, accelerate the construction of a higher-level, higher-quality, more efficient and more sustainable national food security system, and provide strong support for stable and healthy economic and social development.
CNBC: Two questions. First, what are the new plans and opportunities for attracting foreign investment this year? What are the specific areas? Second, during the epidemic, the unemployment rate of young people and college graduates is on the high side. What kind of employment trend are we concerned about this year and what kind of policy support are we planning to introduce? In 2022, China has achieved fruitful results in attracting foreign investment, showing three new changes in overall stability and quality improvement. First, the quality of foreign investment has been improved, and the actual use of foreign capital in manufacturing and high-tech industries has increased by 46.1% and 28.3% respectively. Second, the sources of foreign investment have been more diversified, and the investment from EU and "the Belt and Road" countries in China has increased by 92.2% and 17.2% respectively; Third, the regional distribution of foreign investment has become more balanced, with the actual use of foreign capital in the central and western regions increasing by 21.9% and 14 respectively. In January this year, China's actual use of foreign capital was 127.69 billion yuan, an increase of 14 over the same period last year. The new features of China's increased total foreign investment and structural optimization fully demonstrate the "vote of confidence" of global investors in China's development.
This year, in attracting foreign investment, we will continue to thoroughly implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, steadily expand the institutional opening of rules, regulations, management and standards, strive to create a market-oriented, legalized and internationalized first-class business environment, provide support for global investors to invest in China, and constantly promote the high-quality development of attracting foreign investment. We will focus on the following three areas:
First, we will implement the Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan and promote the opening up of telecommunications, the Internet, education, culture, medical care and other sectors in an orderly manner. We will continue to clean up the restrictions outside the negative list of foreign investment access and ensure that foreign-funded enterprises apply all policies equally.
Second, we will implement the policies that have already been promulgated, thoroughly implement a number of policies and measures focusing on manufacturing to promote the expansion of foreign investment, stabilize the stock and improve the quality, and the new version of the Catalogue of Industries Encouraging Foreign Investment, so as to guide more foreign investment in advanced manufacturing, modern service industries, high-tech, energy conservation and environmental protection, as well as in the central, western and northeastern regions.
Third, we should do a good job in promoting and serving foreign investment, better play the exemplary role of major national foreign investment projects, promote local governments to improve the mechanism, link up the upper and lower levels, and provide full-process services; organize and carry out a series of activities on international industrial investment cooperation, and build a platform for multinational corporations to invest and local governments to attract investment.
I would also like to emphasize that China has always been a "doer" of high-level opening-up, and we will encourage foreign investment to further develop the Chinese market with a more open and inclusive attitude. Global investors are welcome to invest in China and play a greater role in building a new domestic and international dual-cycle development pattern and achieve greater development.
Li Chunlin: Let me answer the question about employment. Employment is the biggest livelihood and the most basic livelihood. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council attach great importance to the work of stabilizing employment, thoroughly implement the strategy of giving priority to employment, promote the gradual stabilization and recovery of the employment situation, and maintain overall stability. The plan report at yesterday's conference also mentioned that our target for this year is to create about 12 million new jobs, a net increase of 1 million over last year's target. We have full confidence in the formulation of this target.
From this year's situation, the external environment has become more complex and severe, the number of domestic college graduates and urban employment demand have reached a new high, employment expansion and quality improvement are still facing some pressures and challenges. However, we should also see that the employment situation will be stable and better as the policies and measures to stabilize growth, employment and prices continue to work effectively, and enterprises and other business entities resume their development, which will lead to the expansion of employment demand and the increase of employment posts. Last year, we set a target of 11 million new jobs, and actually achieved 12.06 million, 1 million more than planned target. This year's target is about 12 million people, 1 million more than last year's target, which fully reflects our confidence and determination in stabilizing employment. The second question
you mentioned about employment is what kind of policies should be introduced to stabilize and ensure employment. The Central Economic Work Conference clearly pointed out that promoting the employment of young people, especially college graduates, should be placed in a more prominent position.The National Development and Reform Commission will resolutely implement the decision-making and deployment of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, intensify the macro-policy regulation and control of employment priority orientation, coordinate the promotion of "expanding posts, stabilizing posts, serving and starting businesses", and promote high-quality and full employment of young people such as college graduates. Focus on four aspects:
First, efforts to expand the level of market-oriented employment of college graduates. Actively expand effective investment, accelerate the recovery of life service consumption, and expand market-oriented employment space by expanding effective domestic demand. Promote the high-end, intelligent and green development of manufacturing industry, promote the deep integration of modern service industry with advanced manufacturing industry and modern agriculture, and develop more knowledge-based and technology-based jobs. Let college graduates and young people with certain technical expertise have stable employment.
Second, efforts should be made to speed up the relief of enterprises and individual businesses. We should timely adjust, optimize and implement the policy of burden reduction and relief, continue to do a good job in cost reduction, strengthen the security of energy resources, important industrial chains and supply chains, promote the integration and sharing of credit information related to enterprises, enhance the financial service capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises, promote the recovery and development of business entities, and enhance the ability to absorb employment.
Third, efforts should be made to strengthen employment services for youth groups. We will intensify efforts and improve mechanisms to provide accurate and efficient online employment services for college graduates, and do a solid job in helping young people with employment difficulties. We will deepen the integration of industry and education in vocational education and school-enterprise cooperation, promote the co-construction and sharing of vocational skills training resources, enhance the skills and qualities of young people such as college graduates, and closely integrate what students have learned with what the market needs.
Fourth, efforts should be made to release the vitality of youth innovation and entrepreneurship. Give full play to the leading and service role of Shuangchuang demonstration base, and promote the opening and sharing of entrepreneurial resources. We will strengthen the construction of entrepreneurship parks for returning home and guide college students with entrepreneurial intention and ability to return home and start their own businesses. We will vigorously develop the digital economy, improve the level of normalized supervision, support platform enterprises to play a greater role in leading development and creating employment, and encourage young people to rely on the platform for self-employment and flexible employment. News
reporter Thepaper.cn: Since last year, the international energy supply and demand situation has been grim, tense and complex, which has brought a lot of pressure to China's energy supply guarantee work. How do you view the current and future energy security situation in China? What are the arrangements for how to do a good job of energy supply in the next step? In recent years, in the face of the complex situation of global energy supply shortage and sharp rise in prices, we have steadily promoted the construction of energy production, supply, storage and marketing system, continuously strengthened energy supply security capacity, increasingly diversified imports, continuously improved reserve capacity, gradually improved the market system, and achieved remarkable results in green and low-carbon transformation. In recent years, China's energy self-sufficiency rate has remained above 80%. In 2022, the domestic crude oil output will rise to more than 200 million tons, reaching 205 million tons; the natural gas output will reach 220.1 billion cubic meters, with an increase of more than 10 billion cubic meters for six consecutive years; by the end of the year, the national installed capacity of power generation will reach 25. In general, China's energy security is guaranteed. In
2023, the international energy supply and demand situation is still complex, and there are many uncertainties; the domestic economic recovery and development drive the steady growth of energy demand, and the regional and temporal energy supply and demand contradiction still exists. In order to ensure energy supply and price stability, we will continue to strengthen the construction of energy production, supply, storage and marketing system on the basis of previous work, and take comprehensive measures to ensure energy security and stable supply. We will focus on the following four areas:
First, we will increase energy production and supply. We will continue to improve the power supply capacity, vigorously promote the construction of large-scale wind power and photovoltaic bases focusing on desert, Gobi and desert areas, build necessary peak-shaving power sources, and increase the effective output of power generation as a whole. We will increase investment in domestic oil and gas exploration and development to increase oil and gas reserves and production. Stabilize coal production and supply, and strengthen clean and efficient utilization. Ensure diversified and stable energy imports.
Second, continue to consolidate energy reserves. Establish and improve the energy reserve system, strengthen the construction of coal reserve capacity, build a stable and efficient oil and gas reserve system, and continuously improve the national emergency reserve and peak shaving power supply capacity.
The three is to maintain the stability of energy prices. We should pay close attention to changes in supply and demand and prices in the energy market, take coal as the "anchor", do a good job in ensuring energy supply and stabilizing prices, take various measures to regulate and supervise coal prices, and strive to stabilize the "big market" of domestic energy prices by stabilizing coal prices and then electricity prices.
Fourth, firmly adhere to the bottom line of people's livelihood. We will promote full coverage of medium- and long-term contracts for coal for power generation and heating and gas for people's livelihood. We will coordinate the mutual protection of coal, natural gas, electricity, refined oil and other energy sources, and accelerate the improvement of energy peak supply capacity. Strengthen the monitoring and early warning of power supply and demand, further refine the demand side load management plan, and firmly adhere to the bottom line of energy consumption.
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