BEIJING - China will press on with reforms to boost innovation and increase the quality of economic growth, said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday (March 5).
The government will do more to speed up broadband and bring down internet rates to boost the development of a "Digital China", said Mr Li at the opening of the annual session of the national Parliament.
Domestic data roaming charges will be abolished and the rates for mobile internet services will be cut by at least 30 per cent.
He also promised to lighten the tax burden on businesses, pledging more than 800 billion yuan (S$167 billion ) in tax cuts.
"These measures will... promote the transformation and upgrading of the real economy," he told an audience of nearly 3,000 lawmakers.
China will also modify or abolish all outdated rules and regulations that "sap the inspiration for innovation", said Mr Li.
To increase China's pool of talents, the government will "create a fast track to attract more foreign talent", he added.
He pledged continued efforts to reform the state sector, including "prudently" introducing mixed ownership in state-owned enterprises.
"The system for State Council reporting to the NPC (National People's Congress) Standing Committee on the management of state-owned assets will be implemented," he said.
