Fellow Deputies,
On behalf of the State Council, I will now report to you on the work of the government.
I ask for your deliberation and approval.
I also ask members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political
Consultative Conference (CPPCC) for their comments
The covid-19 epidemic is the fastest spreading, most extensive,
and most challenging public health emergency
China has encountered since the founding of the People’s Republic.
Under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of China with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, and through
the hard work and sacrifice of our entire nation, we have made major strategic
achievements in our response to covid-19. At present, the epidemic has not yet
come to an end, while the tasks we face in promoting development are immense.
We must redouble our efforts to minimize the losses resulting from the virus and
fulfill the targets and tasks for economic and social development this year.
In pursuing development last year, China faced many difficulties and challenges.
World economic growth was weak, international economic and trade frictions intensified,
and downward pressure on the domestic economy grew.
The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core rallied the
Chinese people and led them in surmounting difficulties and accomplishing the
year’s main targets and tasks, thus laying the crucial foundation needed to reach the
goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. 
The economy remained stable overall. Gross domestic product (GDP) reached 99.
1 trillion yuan, representing a 6.1 percent increase over the previous year.
Around 13.52 million new urban jobs were added, and the surveyed unemployment
rate was below 5.3 percent. Consumer prices rose by 2.9 percent.
A basic equilibrium was maintained in the balance of payments. 
The economic structure continued to improve, and the development priorities of
regions are better aligned. Total retail sales of consumer goods exceeded 40
trillion yuan, and consumption continued to serve as the main engine driving growth.
Advanced manufacturing and modern services registered rapid growth.
Grain output reached 665 million metric tons. For the first time,
permanent urban residents exceeded 60 percent of the population;
progress was made in implementing major development strategies for regions. 
New growth drivers became stronger. A number of major innovative achievements
were made in science and technology. Emerging industries continued to grow;
upgrading in traditional industries accelerated. Business startups and innovation
continued to surge nationwide, with an average net increase of over 10,000
businesses per day. Major headway was made in reform and opening up. 
Supply-side structural reform was further advanced, and breakthroughs in
reform were made in key areas. We cut taxes and fees by 2.36 trillion yuan,
going well beyond our target of 2 trillion yuan, with manufacturing and micro
and small businesses benefiting most.
The reform of government bodies was completed. Reforms to streamline
administration and delegate power, improve regulation, and upgrade services
were steadily advanced. The Science and Technology Innovation Board, or
STAR Market, was established. The joint efforts to pursue the Belt and
Road Initiative (BRI) yielded fresh results. Regulations for the implementation of the 
Foreign Investment Law were adopted, and the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Lin’gang New Area was established. Foreign trade and investment remained stable.