Xi demands all-out efforts to carry out reform tasks

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday demanded all-out efforts to ensure the implementation of the country's reform tasks.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while presiding over the sixth meeting of the Central Commission for Deepening Overall Reform, which he heads.

Noting that the further comprehensive deepening of reform enjoys a solid foundation and favorable conditions, Xi urged making good use of the existing reform achievements and experience.

"We must free our minds, seek truth from facts, move with the times, and take a realistic and pragmatic approach," Xi said.

The meeting was attended by Li Qiang, Wang Huning and Cai Qi, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy directors of the Central Commission for Deepening Overall Reform.

The meeting reviewed and adopted a plan for central Party and state departments to implement major reform measures set in a key resolution adopted last month at the third plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and a guideline on upgrading pilot free trade zones.

The resolution put forward more than 300 reform measures spanning sectors such as the economy, culture and ecology, as the Party aims to further deepen reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization.

Thursday's meeting underscored the importance of upholding the CPC Central Committee's centralized, unified leadership over reform, and ensuring the proper order, pace and timing of reforms.

Efforts must be made to accelerate the implementation of landmark reform measures, enhance the consistency of reform policy orientation, and actively assess the impact of reform on economic and social development, according to the meeting.

It stressed enhancing investigation and research on major reform tasks, formulating implementation plans and strengthening the supervision, inspection and evaluation of work related to reform.

Highlighting the milestone and pioneering institutional innovations introduced by the country's 22 pilot free trade zones since the 18th CPC National Congress held in 2012, the meeting urged pursuing high-standard opening up and focusing on institutional innovations.

It encouraged carrying out pilot reforms and conducting groundbreaking, integrated explorations in this regard.

The meeting also stressed fine-tuning policy mechanisms to facilitate trade, investment, capital flows, transportation and travel, as well as the secure and orderly flow of data.

Efforts are required to ensure both development and security and improve risk prevention and control capabilities, according to the meeting.