Premier Li Keqiang met the press on Thursday after the closing of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress.

The premier took questions from Chinese and foreign reporters via video link.

Here are the highlights.

On employment

- Potential surge in unemployment a major government concern during height of pandemic

- Government policies to support business help avert massive unemployment

- Government economic planning in 2020 focused on jobs

- China created more than 11.8 million urban jobs in 2020, GDP grew by 2.3%

- Jobs continue to be a government priority this year

- China aims to add over 11 million urban jobs this year

- 260 million Chinese seniors represent huge market

On novel coronavirus source tracing

China has acted in a fact-based manner and with an open, transparent and cooperative approach to maintain communications with the World Health Organization concerning the origins of the COVID-19, and provided the WHO missions support during their work in China.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global public health crisis. China also hopes to know the source of the virus as early as possible in order to better understand the spread of the virus and take more effective measures to contain it. (Read more)

On macro economy

- China aims for 2021 GDP growth of more than 6 percent

- 2021 GDP target reflects uncertainties but allows possibility of robust recovery

- China implemented targeted fiscal policies to help businesses, local governments last year

- China will continue support for small businesses

- Government to continue cutting expenditures while expanding support for businesses

On medical insurance

- Li addresses question on inter-provincial medical reimbursements

On Hong Kong

- The central government will continue to act in accordance with constitution and Basic Law over Hong Kong

- Decision on improving Hong Kong electoral system adheres to "one country, two systems"

- Central government to fully support Hong Kong in economic recovery, epidemic control

On sci-tech innovation

- China has achieved major breakthroughs in science and technology

- China needs improvements in scientific research

- Scientists will be given greater autonomy in utilizing funds for research

- China must rely on market forces in driving scientific and technological innovation

- China will introduce tax incentives on research and development projects

- China continues to encourage business startups in line with innovation drive

- China needs cooperation among scientists to achieve goals in tech innovation

On China-US relations

- China-US relations have encountered great difficulty

- China-US ties have overcome obstacles in past years

- International community expects stable China-US ties

- Differences are unavoidable in bilateral relations

- China hopes to continue to see dialogue with US in several areas

- China and the US have common interests

- China, US need to focus energy on cooperation

On reforms on market entities

- China has 130 million market entities

- An important part of China's reforms is energizing market entities

- China will keep policies aligned with needs of market entities

- Success of market entities is vital to China's economy

- China will improve regulations for market fairness

- China aims to combat business malpractices

- The government will provide better services to foster business environment

On Taiwan

- Our policy toward Taiwan has been clear-cut, consistent

- We will continue to promote peaceful development of cross-Straits relations

On people's livelihood

- 2021 fiscal spending will be higher than 2020

- Our government is people-centered and must respond to people's needs