美国全国广播公司记者：最近越来越多的人担心中国会取代美国的全球领导地位。因此有不少人认为，应该对华打贸易战，来惩戒中国在国家主导模式下采取的不公平贸易和产业政策。您认为应该采取什么措施来解决美方关切，防止贸易战？您是否还认为对话可以解决迫在眉睫的威胁？如果打贸易战，中国能做什么？比如中国是否会考虑动用巨额外汇储备和持有的美国国债？
NBC News: Premier
Li, there is increasing concern that China will displace the United States as
the world’s leader and a lot of talk about a trade war as punishment for what
critics describe as unfair trading, industrial policies over an authoritarian,
state-led economic model of China. So Mr. Premier, in your view, what measures
can be taken to address America’s concerns and prevent a trade war? Do you
still believe that dialogue can resolve what looks like an imminent threat? And
what can China do in the event of a trade war? Would you, for example, use
China’s vast foreign exchange reserves and massive holding of American debt?
Thank you.
李克强：最近一段时间关于中美要打贸易战的议论比较多，但是我认为中美打贸易战对双方都没有好处，没有赢家。而且如果用“打仗”这个词来形容贸易的话，也有悖于贸易的原则。因为贸易就是要通过协商、谈判、对话来解决争端。我希望双方要保持理性，不要感情用事，避免打贸易战。
Premier Li: Indeed,
there has been much talk about an emerging trade war between China and the
United States recently. We believe a trade war does nobody any good. No one
will emerge a winner from a trade war. War is essentially the antithesis of
trade, and trade disputes should be resolved through negotiation, consultation
and dialogue. What we hope is that cool heads and rational actions will prevail
instead of emotions or impulses holding sway. A trade war should best be
avoided.
去年中美贸易的规模已经达到5800多亿美元，能走到这一步是靠市场，是按照商业规则来推进的，否则也不可能有这么大的量。当然，我们不愿意看见有比较大的贸易赤字，不仅是对美国。我们希望贸易总体平衡，否则的话难以持续。
Last year,
China-US trade reached $580 billion. This is achieved through observing
business rules and market principles. Otherwise, such a big volume of trade
would be unthinkable. A large trade deficit, either with the United States or
any other country, is not what China goes after. We want to see a basically
balanced trade. Otherwise, it would not be sustainable.
刚才我已经讲了一些中国继续推进扩大开放的具体措施，包括在服务业、制造业、商品等领域。美方企业是可以抓住机遇的。但同时我们也希望美方能够放宽对华高技术、高附加值产品的出口。我们会严格保护知识产权。希望美方不要丢了这个平衡中美贸易的重器，否则就是丢了赚钱的机会。
Just now, I listed
some further steps of opening-up China is going to take covering services,
manufacturing and products. US businesses may well seize these opportunities.
At the same time, we hope the United States will ease restrictions on exporting
high-tech and high value-added goods to China. The associated intellectual
property rights will be fully protected. We hope this important measure for
balancing China-US trade will not be passed over. Otherwise a good opportunity
would be missed.
中国有巨额的外汇储备。运用外汇储备进行投资，我们从来都是按照市场规律进行多元化、市场化操作，而且中国是负责任的长期投资者。中美关系是最大的发展中国家和最大的发达国家之间的关系，两国经济有很强的互补性。中美关系稳定发展对两国、对世界都是好事。至于对中国发展的一些担忧，我认为那是过虑了。
China has vast
foreign exchange reserves. We have been making diversified investments of these
reserves on the basis of market principles, and China will remain a responsible
long-term investor. The relationship between China and the United States is one
between the world’s largest developing country and largest developed country.
Our economies are highly complementary. A stable China-US relationship is in
the interest of both countries and the whole world. Any worry about China’s
greater development is unnecessary.
中国新闻社记者：我们注意到前阵子中国有关部门对一些保险类、金融类企业采取了强制性措施。请问下一步这样的做法是否会继续？以及这是否表明了中国新一轮风险点正在继续，中国是否有可能发生系统性金融风险？
China News
Service: Mr. Premier, we have noticed that recently some mandatory steps
have been taken against certain Chinese insurance and financial companies. Will
this happen again in the future? Does this mean that new risks are building in
China? And will they set off systemic financial risks?
李克强：我要负责任地说，中国有能力防范、也不会出现系统性金融风险。因为中国经济的基本面是好的，金融运行也是稳健的。当然了，中国经济总量已达80多万亿元，银行资产有250多万亿元，你说没有点风险，那是不可能的。常言道：云多易生雨，树大常招风。我记得我在这里曾经说过，我们银行的资本充足率和拨备覆盖率是比较高的，高于国际标准。我在这里还想说，目前我们商业银行法定存款准备金率在15%左右，这也相当于存了20多万亿的准备金，或者叫做风险准备金。
Premier Li: Let
me make it very clear as a person who holds responsibility in this area: China
has the capability to forestall systemic financial risks and I do not foresee such
risks. This is because the fundamentals of China’s economy remain strong, and
its financial system is in good shape. That said, as China’s GDP exceeds 80
trillion yuan with 250 trillion yuan of assets in the banking sector, our
financial system is not risk free.
Just as a proverb
goes, gathering clouds may bring rain and tall trees catch the wind. I recall
that at the press conference a couple of years ago, I pointed out that both the
capital adequacy ratio and provision coverage ratio of Chinese commercial banks
are fairly high and above international standards. Let me add here that the
required reserve ratio stands at about 15 percent, which is equivalent to us
having some 20 trillion yuan stashed away against risks.
今年我们还主动调低了赤字率，这是因为去年中国经济稳中向好，财政超收超出了预期。仅中央财政就超收了2500多亿元，我们没有用，放到今年。而且今年前两个月财政收入又达到两位数增长，我们对实现今年全年经济社会发展的主要目标和未来发展的预期是充满信心的，所以我们还会努力按这个方向持续降低赤字率。当然，调低赤字率并不意味着要改变积极财政政策的取向。我们今年的财政支出超过去年财政支出，增加的量是不小的。我们降低赤字率既是有信心的表现，也是为应对如果国际不确定因素增多、国内一些新的风险点出现而备足工具。
This year, we have
taken the initiative to cut the budget deficit to GDP ratio, supported by the
sustained momentum of steady growth and higher than expected tax revenues. Last
year, the central government had an extra fiscal revenue of 250 billion yuan
above projection, and we have yet to dig into that amount of money. The first
two months of this year saw a double digit increase in China’s fiscal revenues.
So we are confident about meeting all the major economic and social development
targets this year.
Going forward, we
plan to further cut the deficit ratio. But this does not mean we will change
our proactive fiscal policy, for this year will see considerable increase in
the fiscal spending relative to last year. Our ability to cut the deficit ratio
shows our confidence in the health of our economy and is also meant to make
provisions for guarding against global uncertainties and emerging risks at
home.
当然，金融领域也有一些违法违规行为或者规避监管的行为在兴风作浪。最近我们监管部门主动出手、果断处理，就是要让这些点状的风险不扩散，该戳的“脓包”还是要戳，否则也有道德风险。在处理的过程中，我们也注意保护消费者的合法权益，积累了经验。未来有类似的问题出现，我们还会坚决地处置。
True, some
irregularities and evasion of regulation in the financial sector have occurred.
The relevant authorities have taken resolute measures to deal with the pockets
of risks to prevent them from further spreading. When a blister needs bursting,
it should be burst. Otherwise, a small problem may escalate and entail moral
hazards. In dealing with these cases, we have taken care to protect the lawful
rights and interests of our consumers, and have gained further experience in
this area. We will continue to resolutely tackle such cases should they arise
in the future.
我们这次机构改革把银监会和保监会合并，也是要防止规避监管的行为发生。当然，还有一个老问题就是非法集资，政府会保持打击的力度。这里我也想说一句话，投资者千万不要听信那些非法集资者编造的“竹篮子也可以打水”的神话。
In this round of
institutional reform, we have decided to merge the insurance and banking
regulatory bodies to plug possible loopholes. At the same time, we do face
another old problem of illegal fund raising. The government will keep up the
fight against such illegal activities. I would also like to advise all
investors not to buy into the lies of those illegal fundraisers who’d have you
believe a bamboo basket will hold a gallon of water.
今日俄罗斯国际通讯社记者：两年前，我曾经向您提过关于中俄经贸合作的问题。两年过去了，仍然有人说中俄关系政治热、经济冷。俄罗斯刚刚进行总统大选，将组建新政府。作为同样新上任的中国总理，您希望新一届俄罗斯政府实施哪些行动来改善中俄经贸合作？同时，中国政府又将会采取哪些措施？另外，您想向俄罗斯释放怎样的政治信号？
RIA Novosti: Mr.
Premier, two years ago I asked you at the press conference about the
China-Russia relationship being close politically but lukewarm economically. It
seems that this is still how some people would describe the China-Russia relationship
today. Russia just held its presidential election and will soon form a new
government. As Chinese Premier at the start of a new term, what actions do you
hope the new Russian government will take to enhance the business ties between
the two countries, and what will the Chinese government do? What political
message would you like to convey to Russia?
李克强：19日下午习近平主席和普京总统通了电话，习近平主席对普京总统当选连任表示了祝贺。
你刚才提到的中俄经贸关系，前几年走了一个“马鞍形”，这是世界贸易形势变化、国际大宗产品价格下跌等客观原因造成的。去年中俄经贸关系有了新的发展，贸易规模增加了20%以上。现在中俄两大经济体的年贸易规模是800多亿美元，我觉得还有很大潜力。我们完全可以通过创新机制，挖掘潜力，朝1000亿美元的目标迈进。如果说要向俄罗斯人民发出什么样的信号，那就是：中俄互为最大的邻国，中俄全面战略协作伙伴关系稳定发展对双方、对世界都有利。
Premier Li: On
the evening of the 19th, President Xi Jinping and President Putin had a
telephone conversation and President Xi congratulated his Russian counterpart
on his re-election. Recent years did see a slide in China-Russia trade because
of the changing landscape of global trade and the downturn in commodity prices.
However, that slide was reversed last year and our trade registered an over 20%
growth year on year. Between our two large economies, trade now exceeds $80
billion. I believe there is still much untapped potential in China-Russia
trade. We can work together to bump it up to, say, $100 billion, by exploring
new mechanisms and unlocking potential. What I would like to say to the Russian
people is that China and Russia are each other’s biggest neighbors. The steady
growth of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between China
and Russia serves the interests of both countries and the world at large.
台湾东森电视台记者：我们知道近年来由于种种原因，两岸关系充满着严峻的挑战，前景令人担忧，我的问题是面对这样的形势，大陆未来还要怎样维护两岸关系的和平发展？以及如何维护两岸同胞的福祉？
EBC of Taiwan: In
recent years, due to various reasons, cross-Strait relations have encountered
some serious challenges with uncertain prospects. My question is, under such
circumstances, what will the mainland do to uphold the peaceful development of
cross-Strait relations and promote the well-being of people on both sides?
李克强：保持两岸和平发展，这是两岸民众的福祉所在，我们会坚定按这条路走下去。我们一直在考虑怎样为台湾同胞来大陆工作、学习、生活，提供同等的待遇，因为我们是一家人。正因为我们同属于一个中国，那就不能容忍任何“台独”的企图、主张和行径，也不能允许外国势力打“台湾牌”，这会给两岸同胞、给两岸关系都带来困难。我们愿意和认同体现一个中国原则的“九二共识”的台湾政党、团体开展对话、协商，共同商谈解决两岸同胞关心的问题，维护两岸关系和平发展，最终实现祖国和平统一。这是民族大义所在。
Premier Li: The
peaceful development of cross-Strait relations serves the well-being of people
on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and we will continue to go down this path.
We have been working on ways to ensure that our fellow countrymen and women
from Taiwan will enjoy the same treatment as mainlanders when they come to work,
live or study on the mainland, because we are members of the same family, and
we both belong to one and the same China. That said, any attempt, proposition
or activity for “Taiwan independence” must not be tolerated, and we must not
allow any external forces to play “the Taiwan card” to cause difficulties for
people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and for cross-Strait relations. We
are willing to have dialogue and consultation with all political parties and
groups on Taiwan which subscribe to the one-China principle to discuss all
issues that concern people on both sides. We should work together to uphold the
peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and eventually achieve China’s
peaceful reunification. We believe herein lies the fundamental interests of our
nation.
光明日报社记者：近年来，我国的医药卫生体制改革虽然已取得了一些新的进展，但一场大病就让一个家庭陷入困境的现象还是屡有发生。请问总理，新一届政府在解决老百姓因病致贫问题上将会采取哪些新的举措？
Guangming Daily: Mr.
Premier, the reform of China’s healthcare system has made good strides in
recent years, but often a major illness can still land a family in severe
difficulty. What steps will the new government take to address the problem of
illness-induced poverty?
李克强：过去几年，我们用了很大的努力，在过去的基础上完善基本医保制度，构建了世界上最大的医保网，这是为了让人人小病能看、大病敢看。但同时我们也感受到，确实还有一些困难家庭看大病难。你刚才讲的问题不只是困难家庭，还有一些享受不到优质医疗资源的家庭也有同样的问题，新媒体上常有报道。
Premier Li: In
the past few years, we have made enormous efforts to improve the basic health
insurance system. A medical insurance safety net, the largest of its kind in
the world, has been put in place to treat both minor and serious illnesses.
This being said, some families living in poverty or those who have difficulty
accessing quality medical resources do face the kind of problems that you
mentioned. A lot of such cases are reported in the new media.
中国太大，我们还有三千多万贫困人口。以习近平同志为核心的党中央对脱贫攻坚高度重视，对打赢这场攻坚战向全社会作出承诺。在贫困人口当中，很多是因为大病致贫，或大病返贫。所以我们要在巩固基本医保的基础上，把治大病的问题作为重点来抓。这几年我们创新体制，把基本医保和商业保险结合起来，运用“大数法则”，放大资金效应，使更多的人享受大病医保，去年就有1700多万人受益。
China is a vast
country; we still have some thirty million people living in poverty. The Party
Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core gives high priority to
poverty eradication and has made the pledge of winning the fight against
poverty. Among the impoverished population, many are pushed or have fallen back
into poverty because of a serious disease. The government, while improving the
basic healthcare system, has given greater attention to the treatment of
serious diseases. We have adopted some innovative measures; for example, we
have complemented basic health insurance with commercial insurance schemes. By
harnessing the law of large numbers, such an arrangement has produced an
amplifying effect of the insurance funds and extended the coverage of serious
disease insurance to 17 million people last year.
今年我们要在这方面继续加大力度，提高的中央财政对基本医保的补助资金，一半用于大病保险，至少能使2000万人以上能够享受大病保险救助，而且扩大了大病保险病种。同时我们要通过发展“互联网+医疗”、医联体等，把优质医疗资源下沉，让更多的大病患者能够方便得到优质医疗资源的服务。
This year, we plan
to do more. We will raise central government subsidies for basic medical
insurance schemes, and half of the increase will go to serious disease
insurance. Our aim is to cover at least 20 million people and more types of
serious diseases in the insurance program. What’s more, we will encourage the
development of telemedicine and healthcare consortiums to make quality medical
resources more accessible at the community level.
今年春节前我到地方调研，路过一个贫困人口家庭，临时走了进去，看到家里老人有大病，也有医保卡，但还是不敢去看。这个情景在我脑中至今挥之不去。常说病来如山倒，我们就是要用大病保险等多种制度，不让一个人患大病、全家都倒下。
During my
inspection trip on the eve of this past Spring Festival, I dropped in on a poor
family and met an elderly woman there who was seriously ill. Although she had
insurance coverage, the family still found the treatment unaffordable. Their
plight is still vivid in my memory. A Chinese saying compares a major illness
to a mountain falling down. When such an illness strikes, it is our hope that
the family will still find protection. That’s the very purpose of us having
major illness insurance program and other similar mechanisms.
日本东京广播公司记者：今年是《中日和平友好条约》缔结40周年。您在1月会见到访的日本外相河野太郎时曾经表示，中日关系可谓“乍暖还寒”。您认为双方还应该采取哪些措施，使两国关系真正复苏？您是否考虑接受日方邀请，结合出席今年中日韩领导人会议，对日本进行首次正式访问，开启中日两国领导人互访？
TBS: This
year marks the 40th anniversary of the China-Japan Peace and Friendship
Treaty. Mr. Premier, when you met Foreign Minister Kōno in January, you have
said the relationship is warming up but there are still some cold parts left.
If so, what more should both sides do for the relationship to fully recover?
And in the upcoming occasion of trilateral summit including South Korea, would
you intend to accept the invitation for your first official visit to Japan and
will that be the start of the reciprocal visits by the two countries’ leaders?
李克强：一段时间以来，中日关系确实出现了改善的势头，安倍首相多次邀请我访问日本。我愿意在中日关系保持持续改善势头的氛围中，积极考虑今年上半年结合出席中日韩领导人会议正式访问日本。
Premier Li: We
have seen signs of improvement in China-Japan relations lately. Prime Minister
Abe has invited me on several occasions to visit Japan. In an atmosphere of
continuously improving ties, I would be ready to positively consider paying an
official visit to Japan while attending the China-Japan-ROK Leaders’ Meeting
there in the first half of this year.
我认为中日关系改善不仅需要氛围，更需要远见和定力。中日两国领导人互访有利于让中日关系回归正常轨道，但更重要的是要夯实中日关系的基础，我们不能搞“一锤子买卖”，要让中日关系持续向好。今年是《中日和平友好条约》缔结40周年，应该遵守和坚持《中日和平友好条约》等中日之间四个政治文件的精神和共识。如果说两国关系现在出现了“小阳春”，就要防止出现“乍暖还寒”，要让中日关系向着持续稳定的方向发展。我们对日方有期待。
Improvement of
China-Japan relations requires not just the right atmosphere, but also vision
and commitment. Exchange of visits at the leadership level will help get this
relationship back on the track of steady development, but we must look to consolidate
the foundation of China-Japan relations rather than just make a one-time deal.
There needs to be sustained, steady progress of this relationship. This year
marks the 40th anniversary of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and
Friendship. It’s important to honor the spirit and the consensus reached in the
four Sino-Japanese political documents including the Treaty of Peace and
Friendship. If we have seen a spring in China-Japan relationship, we must also
watch out for any possible return of chills. We need to work together for the
sustained, steady development of this relationship. That is what is expected of
Japan.
新华社记者：最近几年“互联网+”和共享经济发展的势头非常迅猛，但是也出现了一些问题，未来的发展可能还有一些障碍。请问总理，您对此怎么看？未来政府对推动“互联网+”有什么新的举措？
Xinhua News
Agency: The Internet Plus model has been widely used in recent years and
there is a boom in the sharing economy. Meanwhile, in this process some
problems have cropped up, and their development may face some hurdles in the
future. How do you see the situation, Mr. Premier? And what will the government
do to promote further development of the Internet Plus model?
李克强：如果说中国经济这艘巨轮这几年能够行稳致远，其中一个重要原因就是在世界科技革命新一轮浪潮中成功挂上了“互联网+”这个风帆，它催生了新动能。这几年我们推动政府职能转变，激发市场活力，促进消费成为发展主动力，使经济结构发生深刻变革。这些都是相互关联的，从而有效避免了中国经济“硬着陆”。大家知道，前几年“硬着陆”的声音是不绝于耳的。现在经济稳中向好，新动能等上述这些方面都起了重要作用。
Premier Li: In
recent years the Internet Plus model has played an important role in promoting
the steady growth of China’s economy, like a new sail being installed on the
big ship riding the wave of a new round of global technological revolution.
Transformed government functions have helped to energize the market.
Consumption has become the biggest driver of China’s development, and there has
been a fundamental change in China’s economic structure. All this
interconnected progress, together with the new drivers, has enabled the Chinese
economy to defy repeated predictions of a hard landing and sustain a sound
momentum of economic growth.
“互联网+”不仅加出了新动能，而且它是最大的共享经济平台，为大众创业、万众创新提供了广阔的舞台，推动经济社会发展和人民生活发生着深刻的变化，让科技精英、企业家都有更多展现能力的机会，更让亿万草根能够发挥聪明才智，表现他们独特的价值。
The Internet Plus
model has not just fostered new drivers of growth, but also provided the
largest platform for the sharing economy, giving opportunity for our people to
pursue their own entrepreneurship and make innovations. It has made a big
difference in China’s economic and social development and profoundly changed
the way we work and live. In this context, technological professionals,
business people or the average people can all tap into their unique potential
and have the opportunities to prove their talents.
当然，“互联网+”作为新事物，也有这样那样的问题，关键是要趋利避害，采取包容审慎的监管方式。对于“互联网+”，不能怕惹事、图省事，出现一些问题就一巴掌打死；也不允许利用“互联网+”搞坑蒙拐骗，败坏“互联网+”的声誉，抹黑“互联网+”。我们应该从两个方面悉心呵护。下一步我们还要采取推动“互联网+”的许多新举措，比如说过去一些“互联网+”的企业总是到海外上市，现在我们已经要求有关部门完善境内上市制度，欢迎他们回归A股，同时要为境内的创新创业企业上市创造更加有利的、符合法律规定的条件。我们还要推进“互联网+”来拓展“智能+”，把它和医疗、教育、政务服务等结合起来，推动数字经济、共享经济向前发展，既快又健康。当然，对如何推动发展，既要符合发展规律，又尽量不要让传统思维限制了我们的想象力。
As a new
phenomenon, the Internet Plus may also have its own problems. In this process,
we need to maximize its benefits while taking care to address its possible
downsides. In exercising regulation over new things, we believe the government
needs to adopt a prudent yet accommodative approach. We should neither shut
them down once problems occur, which would be the easier thing to do, nor allow
the Internet Plus model to become a hotbed for cheating and manipulation. We
should guard against both of these risks.
As the next step,
we will adopt more measures to encourage the growth of this model. For example,
Chinese internet companies tend to get listed overseas. What we plan to do is
to improve the conditions for them to return to the mainland markets. We will
also create conditions in keeping with the law for our mainland high-tech or
innovation companies to get listed on the mainland markets. We need to further
develop the Internet Plus model by applying smart technologies to education,
health care, government services and other services sectors to promote fast and
sound growth of the digital economy and the sharing economy. We need to both
follow existing patterns and think out of the box in developing these models.
香港凤凰卫视记者：我们注意到在您今年所作的政府工作报告中提到建设粤港澳大湾区，支持香港和澳门融入国家发展大局，全面推进内地和港澳的互利合作。但是在香港也有担忧，担心这一做法是否会让香港失去自身的特色和定位，会不会影响到“一国两制”的落实，甚至模糊“两制”的界线。您怎样看？
Phoenix TV of Hong
Kong: Mr. Premier, in your government work report this year, you said
efforts will be made to develop the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area,
support Hong Kong and Macao in integrating their own development into overall
national development and further enhance the mutually beneficial cooperation
between the mainland and these two regions. But some people in Hong Kong feel
somewhat worried whether this will undercut Hong Kong’s unique role, or affect
the implementation of “one country, two systems”, or even blur the line between
the two systems. How would you respond to that?
李克强：我们要建设粤港澳大湾区，把它建成世界级的大湾区，重要原因就是三地有各自独特的优势，能够形成互补，否则就谈不上建设一个有世界竞争力的大湾区了。现在大湾区的规划纲要正在制定过程当中，很快会出台实施，港澳居民到内地来，特别是到广东来工作、生活，在住房、教育、交通等诸多方面将逐步享受同等的待遇。我们愿意和港澳同胞一起共享国家发展的机遇。就是对台湾同胞，我们也希望他们能分享大陆的发展机遇。
Premier Li: We
want to build the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into a world-class
city cluster with the three places drawing upon each other’s comparative
strengths; otherwise this Greater Bay Area would not be competitive
internationally. The outline for the development program is being formulated
and will be adopted for implementation. For people from Hong Kong and Macao who
come to work or live on the mainland, especially in Guangdong, we will
gradually introduce the same treatment for them as mainlanders in terms of
housing, education and transportation, among others. We would also like to
share such opportunities with people from Taiwan.
至于说香港、澳门融入国家发展大局，我们当然会坚持“一国两制”、“港人治港”、“澳人治澳”、高度自治的方针，我们和其他国家都可以共同发展、互利共赢，更何况内地和港澳同属一个国家，在“一国两制”下，会更好发挥各自的优势，形成互补，打造新的增长极。
We encourage Hong
Kong and Macao to integrate their own development into overall national
development. In this process, we will continue to observe the principle of “one
country, two systems” under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong,
the people of Macao administer Macao, and both regions enjoy a high degree of
autonomy. As there can be mutually beneficial cooperation and common
development between different countries, there is even more reason for the
three places which belong to one and the same country to do so. Under the
guidance of the “one country, two systems” principle, we are confident that
these three areas will draw upon each other’s strengths and work together in
building a new and strong region of vibrant growth.
中国国际广播电台记者：我们知道，中国目前已经进入到了老龄化社会，但是养老供给不足、质量不高，而且还面临着很多人养不起老的问题。此外，我们也注意到，在某个省份，去年已经出现了养老金被“击穿”的现象，不少人也在担心，会不会有其他省份步其后尘？请问这个问题如何应对？将怎么解决两亿多人的养老问题？
China Radio
International: Mr. Premier, given the aging of the Chinese population,
quality and inexpensive old-age care is woefully lacking. It was also reported
last year that a Chinese province ran behind its pension payouts, raising
concerns about similar problem in other provinces. How should this problem be
addressed and what will the government do to ensure adequate old-age support
for the over 200 million senior citizens in China?
李克强：我们已经到吃饭时间了，你问了一个和吃饭相关的问题。保证养老金足额发放、按时领取，这是我们必须做到的。的确，有个别省份去年养老金收不抵支。我到一些老工业基地去调研，特别是今年两会下团，我首先问的是养老金能不能够及时足额发放。个别省份发放养老金之所以有困难，和当地经济下行压力较大、财政减收有关，他们已经采取盘活处置国有资产、调整财政支出结构等来保证及时足额发放。当然，中央财政也给了一定的帮助。
Premier Li: It’s
already lunch time, and your question is also about a livelihood issue. We must
ensure that old-age pensions will be paid in full and on time. The problem that
you described did happen in certain provinces last year. I made a point of
raising the issue of pension payouts each time I visit old industrial bases or
hold discussions with the delegates during this year’s Two Sessions. The
difficulties that some provinces face are mainly due to the decline in their
fiscal revenues at the time of local economic downturn. But they have taken
multiple steps to address the issue, such as putting to better use state-owned
assets or adjusting the structure of government expenditure. The central
government has also provided some funding support for this.
不可否认，可能还会有一些省份养老金在总体上会出现一些困难，但从全国范围来讲，我们保证养老金按时足额发放是有能力的。去年末企业职工养老保险基金的结余是4.1万亿元，当年也是收大于支。我们还有养老金的战略储备，就是社会保障基金拥有的资金在增加，去年达1.8万亿元，完全可以保证全国范围内养老金按时足额发放。
Despite the
difficulties faced by some provinces, at the national level, we are capable of
making pension payment in full and on time. As of the end of last year, the
balance of China’s pension insurance funds for urban workers stood at over 4.1
trillion yuan, and we had more revenues than expenditures. We also have 1.8
trillion yuan in social security fund as a strategic reserve, which is still
increasing. So we are fully capable of ensuring full and timely payment of
pension benefits nationwide.
当然，我们还要推进这个领域的相关改革，像今年我们将实施养老金基金调剂制度，中央收取3%进行统筹调剂，以后比例还会有所提高，以弥补有些省养老金可能会发生的不足。同时，我们还会通过划拨国有资产收益来增加社保基金的总量，不仅使它安全，而且要拓展盈利空间，这些都是保证老有所养的“定盘星”，大家对未来应该充满信心。为什么这么说？因为如果我们不能做到这一点，老人辛苦了一辈子还不能老有所养，那后来人就会失去信心。
We will continue
to pursue reform in this area. This year, we plan to establish a central system
of pension fund provisions that can be transferred to provinces in case of
need. The initial contribution rate for all provinces will be three percent,
which means each province will contribute three percent of their funds to the
central provision to be used to fill the shortfalls that some provinces may
face. In addition, we will use some of the state-owned asset proceeds to
replenish the national social security fund to make it safer and more
profitable. These measures will help to deliver stronger old-age support to the
senior people in China. We should give people confidence in the future. Think
about it, if decades of hard work cannot earn one a decent retirement life, our
future generations will lose faith in us.
不能把老年人当作负担，“夕阳红”还是一个产业。很多老人可以做他们力所能及的事情。当然，这绝不是推卸我们必须保证老有所养的责任。
We should never
see senior people as a liability, though. There are still so many things that
they can do and a retired life can also offer tremendous business opportunities
and turn out to be an important industry. That said, we will never shirk the
government’s due responsibility in extending adequate old-age support.
刚才主持人说这是最后一个问题，你问的是民生问题，前面记者也问到了几个民生的问题。这一点请大家相信，我们以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，很重要的就是要贯彻以人民为中心的发展思想，人民政府工作的出发点和落脚点就是保障和改善民生，我们就是要保障基本民生，破除民生痛点，增加优质资源，惠及更多人民群众。
Just now the
moderator said this is going to be the last question. I recall that previously
we also addressed several questions related to people’s livelihood. Under the
guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
for a New Era, we will continue to put people first. The efforts made by a
people’s government boils down to the purpose of serving our people’s
well-being and improving their lives. We will continue to take strong measures
to ensure people’s basic living needs, address their pressing concerns, make
more quality resources available, and deliver more concrete benefits to our
people.
记者会结束时，楚天都市报记者问：个税起征点会提高多少？
Chutian Metropolis
Daily: Mr. Premier, how much will the personal income tax threshold be
raised?
李克强答：我们会抓紧启动，按法律程序办理。
Premier Li: We
will start the relevant process expeditiously and the procedures will be
handled in accordance with law.
