China's new premier Li Qiang on Monday sought to reassure the nation's private sector, saying that the environment for entrepreneurial businesses will improve and equal treatment will be given to companies, regardless of ownership type.

China premier Li Qiang says achieving 5% growth target 'no easy task'

Li Qiang, the former Shanghai Communist Party chief on Saturday, took over the nation’s number two post and assumed office as the country's premier. The 63-old-year-old Li faces the daunting task of reviving China’s economy, which has over the past three years been battered by COVID-19 curbs.

Career bureaucrat, Xi Jinping's ally and now China's second most powerful man: Who is Li Qiang?

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday emphasised the need to strengthen the nation's security. Speaking for the first time since taking over for the historic third term as the nation's president, he said China must modernise its military to make it a "Great Wall of Steel".

Xi Jinping calls for fortification of armed forces into 'Great Wall of Steel'

China's third-term President Xi Jinping on Saturday, during the ongoing annual meeting of China's parliament, appointed his close ally and confidant Li Qiang to the post of premier.

Xi Jinping appoints longtime ally and confidant Li Qiang as China’s new premier