Employment rate to be given priority

China will not allow large-scale unemployment, given its ability and willingness to create new jobs and ensure the basic needs of those who temporarily lose their employment, Premier Li Keqiang told reporters on Wednesday.

"You may notice that this year's Government Work Report sets an employment target of 11 million new jobs in urban areas, 1 million more than last year's target," Li said at the news conference the premier customarily holds after closure of the National People's Congress annual session.

Li said China has created more than 52 million jobs over the past four years. He has repeatedly emphasized the significance of jobs as the linchpin to boosting people's incomes and maintaining social stability.