Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday underscored the importance of deepening reform, expanding opening-up, and improving people’s livelihood in 2023, while addressing a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee..
Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presided over the meeting..
**Deepening reform**.
Xi stressed the need to deepen supply-side structural reform, focus on key areas and weak links, and take solid steps to improve the efficiency of the real economy..
He called for efforts to improve the modern industrial system, accelerate the development of strategic emerging industries, and enhance the competitiveness of the manufacturing industry..
Xi also urged the promotion of scientific and technological innovation, the fostering of new growth drivers, and the optimization of the energy structure..
**Expanding opening-up**.
Xi emphasized the importance of expanding high-level opening-up, promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and creating a better environment for foreign investors..
He stressed the need to deepen cooperation with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, expand cooperation in emerging areas such as digital economy and green development, and actively participate in global economic governance..
Xi also called for efforts to promote the high-quality development of the Hainan Free Trade Port and the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region..
**Improving people’s livelihood**.
Xi stressed the importance of improving people’s livelihood, increasing employment, and raising incomes..
He called for efforts to consolidate and expand the achievements in poverty alleviation, promote rural revitalization, and improve the living standards of urban and rural residents..
Xi also emphasized the need to strengthen social security, improve medical and health services, promote education equity, and ensure the well-being of vulnerable groups..
**Other issues**.
The meeting also discussed other issues, including the implementation of the central government’s work report, the preparation for the upcoming two sessions, and the work related to the Spring Festival..
The two sessions refer to the annual meetings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which are scheduled to be held in early March..
The Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, falls on January 22 this year..
