2016年CRI Li Keqiang Meets U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew（在线收听）

The just concluded G20 finance ministers and central bank governors meeting in Shanghai was a key topic for discussion between Li Keqiang and Jacob Lew.

Li said the meeting reached a positive consensus in a number of areas.

"Even though the economic situations of these twenty countries are all different, we can still reach consensus on the substantial tasks of the next period. It gave a signal of stability to the unsteady world economic circumstances. The main economies agreed to strengthen coordination of macropolicy and to share opinions when adjusting macropolicy."

The Chinese premier also ruled out devaluing the Chinese currency as a short-cut to boosting exports.

Jacob Lew echoed Li Keqiang's view that it is significant for the major world economies to reach a broad consensus.

"I agree with you that at a time of global anxiety, it was a very important moment for the G20 meeting where there was consensus reached. It is a very important subject. The consensus in Shanghai of countries to refrain from the devaluation, coordinate and communicate clearly with one another is very important. The agreement that we each individually need to use all policy tools, fiscal structures as well as monetary is very important."

Lew also said he will be closely watching Li's government work report at the upcoming session of the National People's Congress in China.

In response, Premier Li said China will focus on promoting steady growth, structural adjustment, improving people's livelihood and hedge against risks.

Following the meeting, Chinese Vice finance minister Zhu Guangyao briefed the media, saying China will focus on accelerating structural adjustment and reducing overcapacity.

He reiterated that authorities will take steps to handle the employment issue properly during the process of reform.

"We have chosen steel and coal sectors as the key in reducing overcapacity. We must handle the unemployment issue properly, offering opportunities for those who lost their jobs in the two sectors, through special funds. We need more people to start their own business and mass innovation."

Zhu added keeping unemployment low is a top policy priority, and one that is becoming more difficult as growth sags.

The Chinese economy logged its lowest annual expansion in a quarter of a century at 6.9 percent in 2015.

For CRI, this is Fei Fei.