Beijing Pledges To Control Covid, Improve Livelihoods

Premier Li Keqiang said on Saturday mainland authorities will control the Covid situation in a precise manner while ensuring people can carry on with their lives as normal.

Presenting the government's work report during the National People's Congress, he said Beijing will adhere to its policy to prevent imported Covid cases and any resurgence of the virus locally.

Li added that the administration will beef up its research into Covid variants in a bid to keep them at bay and speed up the development of vaccines and medication. He said the authorities will also carry on with their inoculation efforts.

He said Beijing will strive to improve people's livelihoods and ensure social stability in the meantime.

The premier said authorities will try to boost domestic demand to support the economy, and roll out relief measures for sectors hit by the pandemic.

Li said areas of croplands will be increased by millions of hectares.

"We will fully implement the system of provincial governors assuming responsibility for the 'rice bag' and city mayors for the 'vegetable basket.' It is imperative, and it is well within our ability, to ensure the food supply for 1.4 billion Chinese people through our own efforts," he said.