Provinces push structural reforms

Supply-side structural reform will continue to be a priority of provincial governments this year as China resolves to press ahead with the major tasks of reform amid downward economic pressure, said provincial governors and businessmen.

New targets in cutting excess capacity in major sectors such as steel and coal have been set this year, as unveiled at the annual sessions of provincial legislatures held in January, they added.

The local sessions, which review and approve government economic and social development blueprints, come ahead of the annual sessions of the national legislature and the top political advisory body in March.