China stocks closed up on Wednesday as the country's annual parliamentary session came to a close. The CSI300 index of the largest listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen rose 0.5 percent, to 3,090.03, while the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.2 percent, to 2,870.43 points.
In a news conference at the end of the meeting, Li said that while downward pressure on the economy persists, there would be no sharp deterioration in activity as long as the government presses ahead with reforms.
Li's other comments on growth targets, unemployment risks, corporate debt and other topics were also largely reiterations of remarks made by various top officials over the course of the session, which he opened on March 5 warning policymakers to be prepared for "a tough battle ahead".
Finance shares led indexes higher, with major gainers including Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co Ltd and China Minsheng Banking Co Ltd.
"I think the premier's speech is neutral for the market," said Linus Yip, Chief Strategist at First Shanghai Securities in Hong Kong.
A value above 100 indicates Shanghai shares are pricing at a premium to shares in the same company trading in Hong Kong, and vice versa.
The northbound quota for the Hong Kong-Shanghai Stock Connect, currently set at 13 billion yuan ($2 billion), saw net outflows of 0.84 billion yuan.
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