Premier puts the accent on reform

Li announces sweeping package, saying change has brought the greatest benefits

Premier Li Keqiang placed the emphasis firmly on reform as he delivered the Government Work Report at the opening of the annual legislative session in Beijing on Wednesday. He promised to cut red tape, make China a magnet for foreign investment and steer "the giant ship of China's economy" on a smooth course.

Li mentioned the word "reform" a record 77 times in his 100-minute speech, in which he said the economic growth target for 2014 will be about 7.5 percent, unchanged from the goal set for last year, when the economy grew by 7.7 percent.