Li sets out strategic mission for next 5 years (3)

Tasks: Reforms of govt, social systems 'vital' for success

The premier also said he will push forward the reform of streamlining government functions and cut the existing 1,700 administrative approval items by at least one-third in the coming five years. He said the government approval system could lead to corruption.

"The reform is about curbing government power. As a self-imposed revolution, it will require real sacrifice and will be painful," he said.

At the first session of the 12th National People's Congress, lawmakers adopted a Cabinet-restructuring plan, which reduced the number of ministry-level departments under the State Council from 27 to 25.

Jon Taylor, a professor of political science at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, also said reforms in China might not be an easy or quick task, but could, nonetheless, be accomplished.

Li acknowledged on Sunday the difficulty in advancing reform as the nation has to shake up vested interests, which he said may be more difficult than "touching the soul".

Rule of law

Li urged the "building of a modern economy, modern society and modern government with the spirit of the rule of law," and vowed to "be loyal to the Constitution".

"The law has a sacred place in society. No matter who he or she is and what he or she does, the boundaries of the law should not be breached," he said.

Cui Jia and Cao Yin in Beijing, Zhang Yuwei in New York and Xinhua contributed to this story.