Zhonghongwang.com:

We have noticed that the NDRC and other departments are currently taking action to identify and address market access barriers, and the Supreme People's Court has also issued its first ruling based on the Private Sector Promotion Law. There have been several major reform developments as well. What progress has the NDRC achieved in economic system reform over the past five years? Thank you.

Zheng Shanjie:

I would like to invite Mr. Li to answer your question.

Li Chunlin:

Thank you for your question. Regarding the reforms you mentioned, this has indeed been a central task and a key focus during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. The 14th Five-Year Plan period has been an important historical juncture for advancing reform and tackling challenges. The reform goals and tasks set at the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee have been completed on schedule. We have focused on key areas and critical links, continuing to advance the reform tasks outlined at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. The results are mainly reflected in four aspects: smoothing circulation, boosting vitality, improving efficiency and enhancing effectiveness.

First, we have focused on smoothing economic circulation and accelerating the development of a unified national market. We have issued five versions of the negative list for market access, reducing the number of listed items from 151 to 106, and have eliminated 4,218 regulations and practices that were impeding the development of a unified national market and fair competition. We have assessed the consistency of newly issued policies with macroeconomic policy directions to ensure effective policy coordination. We have taken a comprehensive approach to addressing wasteful competition by improving core competitiveness, optimizing industrial distribution, strengthening local oversight, and regulating competitive practices. In addition, measures such as cross-provincial direct settlement of medical insurance and cross-platform payment for online shopping have brought tangible benefits to the public.

Second, we have focused on stimulating the vitality of business entities and continuously optimizing the development environment. We have continuously advanced the three-year action plan for state-owned enterprise (SOE) reform and the reform deepening and enhancement initiative, with SOEs' core functions and competitiveness steadily strengthening. We have also established the Bureau of Private Economy, promoted the implementation of the Private Sector Promotion Law, and improved our regular communication and problem-solving mechanisms with private enterprises. The Hangzhou-Shaoxing-Taizhou and Hangzhou-Wenzhou high-speed railways, controlled by private capital, have been completed and put into operation. Major infrastructure projects, including those in nuclear power, have opened to private investment. Private capital participation in nuclear power projects has reached as high as 20%. In industrial equipment renewal and similar sectors, more than 80% of projects welcome private capital, boosting investment confidence among private enterprises.

Third, we have focused on improving resource allocation efficiency and made efforts to break through reform bottlenecks in key industries. For example, in the area of factor resource, we have established a fundamental data system and formed the National Data Administration to ensure data can be properly supplied, transmitted and used. We have also begun building a unified national electricity market system. The southern regional electricity market has started continuous operation, and the five provinces covered by the China Southern Power Grid (CSG) have now achieved unified transactions and competitive bidding. The State Grid and CSG have achieved regular cross-operating area transactions. In 2024, market-based electricity transactions nationwide accounted for 63% of total electricity consumption. Similarly, in the area of bidding and tendering, we have comprehensively promoted full-process digitalization reform, released fair competition review rules for the field, fully implemented remote bid evaluation and mutual recognition of digital certificates, and ensured fair and proper use of public resources.

Fourth, we have focused on improving the effectiveness of comprehensive reforms and encouraged local pilot initiatives. We have combined top-level design with grassroots exploration, supporting comprehensive reform pilot programs in Shanghai's Pudong, Shenzhen, Xiamen and other places to actively explore new approaches. We have promoted 88 innovative measures in four phases, providing more replicable reform experiences for nationwide implementation. Among them, the policy document on deepening the comprehensive reform in Shenzhen was officially issued this year. A special press conference was held here recently to explain the policy. For example, we have comprehensively promoted the "one-stop service" integrated reform for employment services, which consolidates 11 items, including social security and the housing provident fund, into a unified framework.

Comprehensive reform efforts have made significant progress and will continue to advance. The 15th Five-Year Plan period will be critical for the comprehensive implementation of the reform tasks outlined at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. We will continue to resolutely implement the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee, focus on deep-seated problems and issues, grit our teeth and make every effort to tackle tough challenges, ensuring that the various reform measures outlined at the third plenary session are implemented and produce results. Thank you.