Policy digest

Government Work Report tasking

The State Council, China's Cabinet, recently issued a document on the implementation of this year's Government Work Report, which was delivered by Premier Li Keqiang in early March to participants of the national legislative and political advisory sessions. The Cabinet document outlines which government ministries and departments will be assigned each of the major tasks that are to be carried out this year, including accelerating modern service industry development, eliminating production overcapacity, reducing costs and improving efficiency. The National Development and Reform Commission has the overall responsibility for achieving the task checklist, while the Ministry of Environmental Protection will take the lead in controlling air and water pollution, according to the document. The Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation, meanwhile, will continue to manage the country's $2.18 trillion financial deficit, further increase the standard of retirees' basic pensions and improve the agricultural insurance system and rural financial services.

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