国内英语新闻:Premier stresses economic targets, agricultural reform

BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang urged all sectors to carry out this year's major tasks and deepen reforms in agriculture and foreign trade.

Li made the remarks while presiding over an executive meeting of the State Council on Wednesday, saying that governments at all levels should be responsible and spare no efforts to guarantee the targets in the new government work report.

He stressed stabilizing economic growth by providing strong policy support, flexible monetary tools, more job opportunities and proper controls and regulations.

The premier delivered a government work report on March 5 at the parliament's annual session, announcing China's 2015 economic growth target of approximately 7 percent.

The government needs to continue red-tape reduction and reform of taxation, financing and investment, to invigorate the market and clear the path for entrepreneurship, Li said.

He called for more service supply and faster construction of railways in central and west China, major water conservation projects and renovating substandard housing, as well as wider global cooperation in equipment manufacturing.

The Wednesday meeting passed a plan for sustainable development in agriculture, to ensure food security and better living for farmers.

The plan demands securing the area and quality of farmland. Around 800 million mu (about 53 million hectares) of high-quality farmland shall be cultivated by the end of 2020.

A greater variety of agricultural businesses will improve efficiency, while water conservation and protection of forests, wetland, grassland and lakes in rural area shall be strengthened.

The premier also wants better port management with easier and transparent customs clearance.

More approvals for customs clearance will be cut, inspections improved and illegal fees rooted outs.

Transregional cooperation and better port layouts will support cross-border e-commerce areas.