(JU PENG)

Premier Li Keqiang presides over the first plenary meeting of the newly elected State Council, China's cabinet, in Beijing on March 20.

The transformation of government functions will be its first task, Li said. While enhancing macro-level administration, government departments should let go of micro-administrative matters and let the market or society decide, he added.

The event marked the official start of the Central Government's new term in office, following election at China's annual parliamentary session earlier this month.