China's new premier promises to accelerate economic reform

Beijing - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang promised Sunday to accelerate economic reform and sustain the nation's rapid growth during his expected 10 years in power.

"I’ve often said that reform pays the biggest dividend for China because there is still room for improvement in our socialist market economy," Li said in his first press conference since he became premier on Thursday.

"There is great space for further unleashing productivity through reform and there is great potential to make sure the benefits of reforms will reach the entire population," Li said at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.

"We need to pursue market-oriented reforms," he said following the closing of the National People’s Congress, the ruling Communist Party’s annual parliament.

New leaders appointed this week saw maintaining economic growth, improving people’s livelihood and safeguarding social justice as their three top tasks, Li said.//DPA