中國日報記者：今年您在政府工作報告中調低了城鎮新增就業目標，調高了城鎮調查失業率。面對嚴峻的就業形勢，政府將如何遏制失業潮？如何幫助大學生和農民工找到工作？

China Daily: In this year’s Government Work Report, the target of new urban jobs has been revised downward, and the target of surveyed urban unemployment rate upward, compared with the levels last year. In the face of the severe employment situation, what will the government do to avert massive job losses and help college graduates and rural migrant workers find jobs?

李克強：今年我們確定城鎮新增就業900萬人以上，的確比去年低，實現這個目標要有一定的經濟增長作支撐。我們把城鎮調查失業率定為6%左右，今年4月份城鎮調查失業率已經是6%了，我們這樣做也是實事求是。

Premier Li: We have set this year’s target of new urban jobs at over 9 million, somewhat below last year’s level. To attain this goal, we need to maintain a certain level of economic growth. The urban surveyed unemployment rate target is set at around 6 percent. In fact, in April, that figure already hit 6 percent, so such a target was set on the basis of the situation on the ground.

就業是最大的民生，對于一個家庭來說是天大的事情。這幾天我看中國政府網上的留言，大概三分之一都是談就業的。其中有一位農民工說他50多歲了，在外打工30多年，每年如此，但今年還沒有找到工作，全家都陷入困境。還有一些個體工商戶，已經歇業幾個月了。一些外貿企業現在沒有訂單，影響員工就業。對他們的困難，我們要給予救助，但是從根本上說，還是要幫助他們就業。中國有9億勞動力，沒有就業，就只是9億張吃飯的口；有了就業，就是9億雙可以創造巨大財富的手。

Employment matters the most in people’s lives. It is something of paramount importance for all families. Of all the comments posted by netizens on the Chinese government portal website, some one third are about jobs. One of them was posted by a rural migrant worker in his 50s. He said that over the past 30 plus years, he had been working in cities every year. But so far this year he has been unable to find a job and the whole family is now in difficulty. Many self-employed individuals have seen their businesses grinding to a halt for several months. And some export companies have also been in great difficulty for lack of orders. This is affecting the jobs of their employees. We must provide support to all these people. But most importantly, we must help them land jobs. There is a labor force of 900 million in China. If they are out of work, there will be 900 million mouths to feed; if they are all put to work, 900 million pairs of hands will be able to generate tremendous wealth.

為了穩住現有就業崗位，可以說政策是能用盡用，投入的錢也是最多的。我們規模性政策的資金，允許基層用于減稅降費，而且允許用于為企業減房租、貼利息。采取這樣的措施就是要把企業穩下來，崗位保得住，而且要公平合理。我們還要采取資助企業以訓穩崗的政策，今明兩年將有3500萬人次通過失業保險結存資金來進行崗位培訓，給他們緩沖的機會。即便失業了，也要努力讓他們短時期內有再就業的機會。

In order to retain existing jobs, all our pro-job measures will be fully employed with the largest input of funds. Such sizable policy funds can be used by primary-level governments to implement tax and fee cuts, and subsidize rents or interest payment in support of companies. So all these measures are designed to keep companies in business and secure the jobs of their employees and they will be implemented in a fair and reasonable way. We will also finance skills training initiatives by businesses to stabilize employment. This year and the next, we will tap into the balance of the unemployment insurance fund to provide some 35 million vocational skills training opportunities. This will cushion the impact of unemployment, and we will help people who lose their jobs get reemployed as soon as possible.

同時還要創造更多新的就業崗位。現在新業態蓬勃發展，大概有1億人就業。我們的零工經濟也有2億人就業。不僅要采取更多扶持政策，而且要打破那些不合理的條條框框，讓更多新就業崗位成長起來。去年我們平均每天凈增企業超過1萬戶，今年也要按這個目標去努力。

We also need to do our best to create new jobs. Nowadays, some 100 million people are employed in new forms of business and industry, and some 200 million people are working in the gig economy. The government must continue to provide support and at the same time lift all unwarranted restrictions that prevent the development of those industries and sectors. We also need to create a favorable environment for the increase of new job opportunities. Last year, more than 10,000 new businesses were created on an average day, and we will continue to work hard to see that the figure stays at this level this year.

人民群眾有無窮創造力。回想改革開放之初，大批知青返城，就一個“大碗茶”解決了多少人的就業！兩周前，我看到報道，西部有個城市，按照當地的規范，設置了3.6萬個流動商販的攤位，結果一夜之間有10萬人就業。中國人民是勤勞的，中國的市場也在不斷開拓和升級。當然，對重點人群就業，我們有重點扶持政策。今年大學畢業生創新高，達到874萬人，要讓他們成為“不斷線的風箏”，今明兩年都要持續提供就業服務。對農民工，不論是在常住地還是返鄉，都要給他們提供就業服務平臺。對退役軍人，要切實把安置政策落實好。

We can certainly rely on the innovation and initiative of the Chinese people in this respect. One may recall when young people returned to the cities from the countryside in large numbers in the early days of reform and opening-up, the opening of roadside tea stands helped to put many of them to work. About two weeks ago, I saw in the news that a city in China’s western region, in keeping with local rules and regulations, set up 36,000 mobile stalls, adding some 100,000 new jobs overnight.

Our people are hardworking, and the Chinese market keeps expanding and upgrading. In this process, the government must focus on providing support to key groups in their employment. The number of new college graduates will reach a record high of 8.74 million this year. We must provide employment services to these people, both this year and next, so that they will not be left to their own devices. And for rural migrant workers, no matter whether they are still working in a city or have returned to their hometown, we will put in place employment service platforms to support them in landing jobs. We must also fully implement all the support measures for demobilized military personnel as well.

鳳凰衛視記者：這次全國人大會議作出了關于建立健全香港特別行政區維護國家安全的法律制度和執行機制的決定，全國人大常委會將就此制定專門的法律。這是否表明中央調整了對香港的政策，是否放棄了“一國兩制”？對于當下各方的反應您如何看待？

Phoenix TV: At this year’s NPC Session, a decision was adopted on establishing and improving the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR. The Standing Committee of the NPC will also set in motion a legislative process in this respect. Does this mean that the Central Government has adjusted its policy toward Hong Kong and abandoned “one country, two systems”? How do you respond to the various comments in this respect?

李克強：“一國兩制”是國家的基本國策，中央政府始終強調要全面準確貫徹“一國兩制”、“港人治港”、高度自治方針，嚴格按照憲法和基本法辦事，支持特區政府和行政長官依法施政，這是一貫的。你提到全國人大剛通過的有關維護國家安全的決定，是為了確保“一國兩制”行穩致遠，維護香港長期繁榮穩定。

Premier Li: “One country, two systems” is China’s basic state policy. The Central Government has all along fully and faithfully implemented the “one country, two systems” under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy, acted in strict accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law, and supported the Hong Kong SAR government and the Chief Executive in exercising administration according to law. The decision adopted at the NPC Session to safeguard national security is designed for the steady implementation of “one country, two systems” and for Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability.

美國全國廣播公司記者：美國繼續將新冠肺炎疫情全球大流行歸咎中國，出現了更多關于中美之間“新冷戰”的說法。與此同時，美中雙方官員還在討論如何為落實兩國之間第一階段經貿協議創造有利條件，推動中美關系穩定發展。考慮到中國自身經濟遇到的困難，您是否認為中國的經濟改革和讓步足以解決美方關切呢？如果合作努力失敗，中國經濟能否抵御“新冷戰”和“脫鉤”的威脅？

NBC News: The United States continues to blame China for the global pandemic. There’s more and more talk of a cold war between the US and China. At the same time, Chinese and American officials talk of creating favorable conditions for the phase one trade deal that could help stabilize the relationship. Are you still confident that more economic reforms and concessions of China can adequately address America’s concerns, given that China’s economy has been weakened? Or if the efforts for cooperation fail, can China’s economy withstand the threat of a “cold war” and “decoupling”?

李克強：當前中美關系的確出現一些新問題、新挑戰。中美關系很重要，兩國都是聯合國安理會常任理事國，在應對傳統和非傳統挑戰方面都有很多可以、而且應當合作的地方，在經貿、科技、人文方面也有廣泛的交流，兩國之間存在著廣泛的共同利益。中美兩國合則兩利、斗則俱傷，不僅關系兩國人民的利益，而且關系到世界，所以一些問題發生后引起世界的擔憂。至于你說到“新冷戰”，我們從來都主張摒棄“冷戰”思維。所謂“脫鉤”，可以說兩個主要經濟體“脫鉤”，對誰都沒有好處，也會傷害世界。我們應該按照兩國元首達成的重要共識，推動建立以協調、合作、穩定為基調的中美關系。

Premier Li: It is true that at the moment, China-US relations have encountered some new problems and challenges. This is a very important bilateral relationship. Both countries are permanent members of the UN Security Council. There are many areas where the two countries can and should work with each other in tackling both traditional and non-traditional challenges. There are also extensive exchanges between the two countries in the economic, trade, scientific, technological, cultural and other fields. So it is fair to say that there is extensive common interest between China and the United States. Both countries stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Getting Sino-US relationship right is in the interest of people of both countries and the whole world. Given the importance of this relationship, the problems that occurred in this relationship have been a cause for concern for the international community. As for a cold war, you know that we have all along rejected the “cold war” mentality. And “decoupling” between major economies will do neither side any good. It is also harmful to the world. I believe we should continue to work together to follow through on the important consensus reached between our two presidents and work jointly to foster a Sino-US relationship based on coordination, cooperation and stability.

中美兩國經濟你中有我、我中有你，一路走來很不容易，雙方都從中獲益。這使我想起，就在幾天前，一家美國高科技公司宣布在中國武漢的投資項目開工。我不是做商業廣告，但是我對他們的行為是贊賞的，所以發了賀信。這個例子表明，中美商貿界是互有需要的，是可以實現合作共贏的。

The economies of our two countries have become closely interconnected. Our economic and trade ties have come a long way, and both sides have benefited tremendously. Just a few days ago, an American high-tech firm announced the launch of an investment project in Wuhan. I shouldn’t do any commercial promotion for any company, but I highly appreciate this move and sent my message of congratulations to mark the occasion. I believe this example shows that the business communities of our two countries need each other, and our business cooperation can be of mutual benefit.

中美之間的商貿合作應該遵循商業規則，由市場來選擇，由企業家判斷、拍板，政府起搭平臺的作用。中美兩國，一個是世界上最大的發展中國家，一個是世界上最大的發達國家，有不同的社會制度、文化傳統、歷史背景，存在矛盾、分歧不可避免，問題在于怎樣對待。中美關系幾十年來風風雨雨，一方面合作前行，一方面磕磕絆絆，的確很復雜，這需要用智慧去擴大共同利益，管控分歧和矛盾。總之，要相互尊重，平等互利，尊重對方的核心利益和重大關切，尋求合作共贏。這于己、于人、于世界都有利。

I believe the economic cooperation and trade between our two countries should follow commercial principles. We should leave the decisions to the market and to the business leaders. The job of the government is to establish platforms for the business communities of the two countries. China and the United States are the world’s largest developing and developed countries respectively. Given the differences in our social systems, cultural heritage and historical backgrounds, some disagreements and even frictions may be unavoidable. What’s important is how we manage them. The relationship has been moving forward amid twists and turns in the past several decades, featuring both growing cooperation and some bumps along the way. Indeed, this is a complex relationship. We must use our wisdom to expand common interests and manage differences and disagreements. In a word, I believe that the two countries should develop a relationship on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, and embrace cooperation. That will be conducive to the interests of both countries and the world.

新華社記者：講到今年的經濟工作，我們聽到頻率最高的詞就是“穩”和“保”。請問總理，這和市場化改革之間是什么關系？政府在這方面的重點是什么？

Xinhua News Agency: When we talk about the economic work agenda for the Chinese government this year, the words we have heard most frequently are stability and protections. What are their relations with market-oriented reforms? What will be the priorities of reform this year?

李克強：中國改革開放40多年的經驗表明，越是困難越要堅持改革。我們宏觀政策提出的“穩”和“保”，是通過市場主體去支撐的，而且是奔著市場主體的困難和關切去做的，這本身就是市場化改革的做法。

Premier Li: Our experience in the past 40-plus years of reform and opening-up shows that the greater difficulty we face, the more important it is for us to keep to reform. In our macro policies, we outlined sets of priority areas where stability is key and where protections are needed. Our measures are designed to help those vast numbers of market entities and are built around addressing their difficulties and concerns. This in itself is consistent with our market-oriented reform.

我們首先是要讓市場主體活下來。政策的真金白銀主要是為市場主體紓困，激發市場活力。真金白銀要確保落到企業和個體工商戶身上。這次政府工作報告說，要留得青山，贏得未來。我們現在有1.2億市場主體，他們就是青山，留住他們，就會贏得未來。

First and foremost, we must help all our businesses survive. Our solid measures must serve to provide vital relief to businesses and revitalize the market. Hence, all these measures must deliver real gains to companies and support self-employed individuals. As I said in the Government Work Report, we must do our utmost to help the 120 million market entities in China sustain themselves, and that will help us assure success for the future.

不僅要讓市場主體活下去，更重要的是通過“放管服”改革把他們激活起來。要打造市場化、法治化、國際化的營商環境，打掉那些不合理的條條框框，讓他們公平競爭。這種措施看似無形，但能創造出有形的財富，干好了，不亞于真金白銀的投入。

At the same time, we must work hard to help our businesses thrive by pressing ahead with reform of government functions. We will continue to foster a market-oriented and world-class business environment governed by a sound legal framework. The government must lift all unnecessary restrictions on market entities to facilitate fair competition. Such policies and measures, intangible as they are, will create tangible wealth in our businesses just like real investments.

再有，就是要讓新的市場主體更多地長出來。大家都知道，這次應對疫情中，像網購、快遞、云辦公等等一些新業態是逆勢增長，有的營業收入增長了三分之二，而且現在新業態還層出不窮。這和我們這些年來深化供給側結構性改革，推動高質量發展，培育壯大新動能，開展大眾創業、萬眾創新都有關。我們應該把這些經驗推廣開，促使新動能、新的市場主體更多地成長。今年我們要努力做到平均每日新注冊企業2萬戶左右，這是觀察中國經濟活力的一個重要指標。

Furthermore, we must work hard to help more new market entities emerge. We have seen a trend-bucking surge of growth in new forms of business and industry during the COVID-19 response, including online shopping, express delivery services, and teleworking. Some new forms of business have even seen their revenues increase by two thirds. I believe such developments are very much attributable to our initiatives and reforms in recent years, including the supply-side structural reform, our efforts to promote high-quality development and foster new drivers of growth, and our initiative of encouraging business start-ups and innovation. We must use the experience gained in this process to the fullest extent to foster more growth drivers and help more market entities grow. This year, our goal is to see that the number of newly registered businesses stay at about 20,000 on an average day. And that figure has become an important indicator gauging the economic vitality of China.

我們重視中小微企業，并不是不重視大企業，還是希望大中小企業共生共榮，而且期待一些中小微企業將來會成長為大企業，形成一個相互融通發展的局面。今年我們不僅要看紓困政策用得怎么樣，還要看營商環境的改善是否明顯，這樣可以產生乘數效應。

We pay close attention to these smaller firms, but we also highly value the role of big companies. We hope that companies of all sizes will be able to thrive together through close cooperation and collaboration. We also expect that more smaller firms will one day grow into large companies. This year, we must ensure full delivery of all these relief and support measures, and at the same time work for notable improvement in China’s business environment. These measures, when combined, will produce multiplying effects.