Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met the press on Friday at the Great Hall of the People after the conclusion of the annual national legislative session.
Premier Li also answered questions asked by journalists from around the world.
On economic growth
It is true that China's economy has encountered new downward pressure, as part of a global trend, noted Li.
Last year, people across China made a strong united effort to advance our supply-side structural reform and China achieved the GDP growth goal of 6.6 percent, said Li, adding that the country has sent a message of stability to the market.
Li has also vowed to continue to take measures to boost vitality in the market so that China will have a stronger dynamism for development.
On tax cuts
In the past several years, China has worked to replace business tax with value-added tax (VAT).
Three trillion yuan in business tax have been cut over the past three years, which is fairly large scale tax reduction, Li told the reporters.
The government has determined to lunch a larger-scale round of tax reductions and fee cuts, which Li said will be a key measure for the country to deal with download pressures on China's economy.
"This year we will make reductions in VAT and localities social insurance contributions, with two trillion yuan worth of reductions to all companies," said Li.
On Korean Peninsula issue
The Korean Peninsula issue is a long-standing and complicated one, which cannot be resolved overnight, Li noted.
It's important to stay patient and promote dialogue, especially between the DPRK and the U.S., Li added.
Li has also reiterated China's stance, saying the country is committed to a denuclearized peninsula.
"We hope there will be peace and stability on the peninsula. It is in the regional and global interest," said Li.
On China-U.S. ties
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 40 years ago, the China-U.S. relationship has been forging ahead and it has achieved fruitful results.
The twists and turns are changing. However, the trend of moving forward has not changed, Li stressed.
"Our common interests are far greater than differences. Maintaining a stable bilateral relationship is not only beneficial to both parties, but also beneficial to the world," Li said.
China and the U.S., as the two largest economies, have become closely entwined through years of growing their relationship. It is neither realistic nor possible to decouple these economies, Li added.
On reform and opening up
Through 40 years of reform and opening-up, China has made remarkable achievements, delivering benefits to all of its population, Li said.
The government will continue to pursue market-oriented and law-based reforms to ensure that concrete outcomes will be delivered through specific actions, Li told reporters.
In carrying out reform, the government must create an enabling environment for the market to perform its role in enabling resources, Li said.
When asked if the Chinese government will ask Chinese companies to spy on other countries, Li said it is not consistent with Chinese law.
"This is not how China behaves, we did not do that and will not do that in future," replied the premier.
On cross-Strait ties
China upholds the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus and opposes Taiwan independence, Li said.
A total of 31 measures have been introduced last year to promote economic and cultural exchanges of cross-Strait relations, Li noted.
On job markets
Talking about China's job market, Li told reporters that some 15 million new entrants entered the labor force last year.
That figure will not decline in the foreseeable future, Li said.
China believes creating jobs is just as important as the country's fiscal and monetary policy, said Li, vowing to provide 11 million new urban job opportunities this year as job creation remains a major challenge.
