China's premier will not hold news conference after parliament, spokesman says

China's Premier Li Qiang will not hold a news conference after the close of this year's annual parliamentary meeting, National Party Congress (NPC) spokesman Lou Qinjian told reporters on Monday.

The decision was made because there would be more briefings by government ministers during the annual parliament meeting where senior cabinet officials will talk about issues on diplomacy, economy and people's livelihood, Lou said. The premier would not give media briefing at the conclusion of future NPCs, Lou added.

At the close of the annual parliament last year, Li sought to reassure the country's private sector in his first media conference as premier.