BEIJING -- China is able to achieve its potential economic growth as long as it can realize maximum employment, Premier Li Keqiang said Friday.

"This year, we will step up the implementation of macro policies, and focus our fiscal and monetary policies on achieving employment targets," Li told a press conference after China's annual legislative session.

In 2022, China will see a high increase of new urban job seekers into the labor force, totaling around 16 million people, while the number of college graduates will reach an all-time high of 10.76 million, Li said.

The premier called for supportive measures for new job seekers such as providing more training programs, adopting a market-based approach in enhancing employment, and facilitating the development of new technologies and business modes.

He stressed flexible employment, referring to new employment forms currently covering more than 200 million people in the country.

Improved policies are needed to protect labor rights and interests and strengthen social security for people engaged in flexible employment, Li added.