Measures were implemented to ensure stable investment; as a result, investment in manufacturing and private investment rebounded markedly. Policies were adopted to stimulate consumer spending. Internet Plus initiatives were advanced across the board, and new technologies and models were used to transform traditional industries.

We deepened efforts to streamline government functions and cut taxes and fees. A number of government permits were abolished, the reform separating permits from the business license was implemented nationwide, the time needed to start a business was considerably shortened, and the types of industrial production permits were cut by over a third. Oversight conducted through the random selection of both inspectors and inspection targets and the prompt release of results was implemented nationwide.

We overhauled the charges and fees levied on businesses, and encouraged cuts in the cost of energy, broadband services, and logistics. We advanced the Internet Plus Government Services initiative, the local authorities explored and extended a number of distinctive reform measures, and both businesses and the public now enjoy increasingly better access to government services.

四是深入实施创新驱动发展战略，创新能力和效率进一步提升。大力优化创新生态，调动各类创新主体积极性。深化科技管理体制改革，推进关键核心技术攻关，加强重大科技基础设施、科技创新中心等建设。强化企业技术创新主体地位，将提高研发费用加计扣除比例政策扩大至所有企业。制定支持双创深入发展的政策措施。技术合同成交额增长30%以上。科技进步贡献率提高到58.5%。

Fourth, we continued to implement the innovation-driven development strategy and further increased innovation capacity and performance.

We greatly improved the innovation ecosystem to keep innovators of all kinds fully motivated. The reform of the management system for science and technology was deepened, steps were taken to achieve breakthroughs in core technologies for key fields, and the building of major science and technology infrastructure and innovation centers was stepped up.

We strengthened the principal position of enterprises in technological innovation, and extended the policy on raising the proportion of additional tax-deductible R&D costs to cover all enterprises.

We developed policies and measures to support innovation and business startups. The volume of contracted technology transactions grew by over 30 percent. The contribution of technological advances to economic growth has risen to 58.5 percent.

五是加大改革开放力度，发展动力继续增强。深化国资国企改革，国有企业优化重组、提质增效取得新进展。针对民营企业发展遇到的困难和问题，千方百计帮助解忧纾困。推进财税体制改革，预算绩效管理改革全面启动。改革金融监管体制，完善利率、汇率市场化形成机制。农业农村、社会事业、生态环保等领域改革不断深化。推出对外开放一系列重大举措。共建“一带一路”引领效应持续释放，同沿线国家的合作机制不断健全，经贸合作和人文交流加快推进。出台稳外贸政策，货物通关时间压缩一半以上。下调部分商品进口关税，关税总水平由9.8%降至7.5%。新设一批跨境电商综合试验区。复制推广自贸试验区改革经验。大幅压缩外资准入负面清单，扩大金融、汽车等行业开放，一批重大外资项目落地，新设外资企业增长近70%。

Fifth, we intensified reform and opening up and continued to strengthen the momentum of development.

We deepened reforms of state capital and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and made new gains in upgrading and restructuring SOEs and in improving their quality and performance. In addressing difficulties and issues encountered by private enterprises, we used every feasible means to help them overcome problems and concerns.

We advanced the reform of the fiscal and tax systems, and launched performance-based budget management reform across the country. We reformed the financial regulatory system and improved the mechanisms through which interest rates and exchange rates are set by the market. Steady progress was made in reforms related to agriculture, rural affairs, social programs, and environmental protection.

In opening up, we introduced a series of major moves. Joint efforts to pursue the Belt and Road Initiative are producing a pace-setting effect, cooperation mechanisms for countries along its routes are steadily improving, and economic cooperation, trade, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges under the Initiative have gathered momentum.

We launched policies to ensure steady growth in foreign trade, and cut the time needed for customs clearance by more than half. Import tariffs on some goods were lowered, and the overall tariff level was reduced from 9.8 to 7.5 percent.