"While it is easy to point to the challenges that China faces in the future, as all major nations are challenged, Li has put the world on notice of China's plans. Transparency and realism reside in this ambitious construct. China is trying to prepare for the future."

Bob Berring, a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley

"Premier Li's focus seems to be on balancing the role of the state and the market, a difficult task given the influence of state-owned enterprises in some sectors of the economy. Premier Li is putting a large emphasis on the role of urbanization in continuing China's economic growth and it will be interesting to see the shape of the new urbanization plan this fall."

Nicholas Borst, research associate and China program manager at Peterson Institute for International Economics

 "[Li's] speech sets the stage for major reform, particularly by fighting entrenched interests and inertia in local governments, state-owned enterprises, the export sector, and even the financial system itself. "

Jon Taylor, a professor of political science at the University of St. Thomas in Houston

 "The premier has offered a welcome reinforcement of plans for reform and rebalancing of the economy as the Third Plenum approaches. These policies produce both winners and losers, so outside observers will watch closely for how these policies are implemented. They will also be seeking greater transparency about China's accumulating debt structure."

Douglas Paal, vice-president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

(China Daily USA 09/11/2013 page3)