Premier urges local govts to focus on employment

Premier Li Keqiang urged local governments on Friday to adopt all possible measures to bolster employment as China adopts a strengthened employment-first policy to cope with the pressure on jobs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Pressure on employment has risen significantly" in the country as the pandemic sends the world economy into a severe recession, Li said while delivering the Government Work Report to the opening of the third session of the 13th National People's Congress.

Considering the situation, China will set a target of creating over 9 million new urban jobs this year, 2 million less than the 2019 target, he said.