MNI China Press Digest, Jan 17: Premier Li, Sino-U.S., NETDZ

     BEIJING (MNI) - The following lists highlights from Thursday's China press:

     China must boost domestic demand and expand domestic consumption to cope

with the economic downward pressure, Premier Li Keqiang told a symposium in

Beijing, according to a statement on the government' website late Wednesday. It

is also necessary to boost effective investment in public services and

infrastructure, including information infrastructure, Li added.

     China will not become another America, nor will it replace the U.S., the

People's Daily reported Thursday, citing Foreign Minister Wang Yi. It is a

serious strategic misjudgement for some people in the U.S. to suspect that the

rise of China will lead to a hegemony which will challenge or replace the U.S.,

Wang added. Wang also said the two countries have the will to expand economic

and trade cooperation. They should have the ability and wisdom to push for a

mutually acceptable solution.

     Relevant government departments are preparing to draft documents to promote

the high-quality development of National Economic and Technological Development

Zones (NETDZ). The 219 NETDZ are expected to be given more reform autonomy, the

Economic Information Daily reported Thursday. Currently, NETDZ are undergoing

industrial upgrades with addition of high-end manufacturing and other modern

industries, the EID said.

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: wanxia.lin@marketnews.com

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

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