President pledges to bolster business confidence, reduce burdens of firms

President Xi Jinping reaffirmed on Monday the nation's unwavering support for the private sector, pledging steps to bolster the confidence of businesses and entrepreneurs, reduce their burdens and promote their healthy and high-quality growth.

While taking part in a joint group meeting with national political advisers, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for steps to improve the business environment for the private sector, remove institutional barriers to level the playing field for private businesses and protect their property rights and interests.

The political advisers, who are attending the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, are from the China National Democratic Construction Association, one of China's eight non-CPC political parties, and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, an organization with over 5 million corporate members.

Xi spoke after six political advisers shared their views, and recalled the nation's hard-won achievements in 2022 and over the past five years.

He noted that Western countries, led by the United States, have tried to contain and suppress China, which has presented unprecedentedly tough challenges to the nation's development.

It is important to maintain composure and strategic resolve, pursue progress while ensuring stability, work proactively and in unity, and have the courage to carry on the fight in the face of profound and complex changes in the domestic and international landscapes, he said.

He highlighted unity as the source of the nation's strength, saying that China has been able to overcome various risks and challenges thanks to all its people striving in unity with a fighting spirit.

He warned that the nation could face more risks and challenges that could be even more difficult.

Only by all the people sticking together, standing in solidarity and staying courageous and capable can the nation secure new and greater victories, he said.

The private sector is a key strength for the CPC to rely on in its long-term governance, and uniting the nation to attain its two centenary goals, Xi said.