China's Xi urges boost to economic reforms

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's key reforms have been smooth over the last three years, but implementation needs to be faster, Xinhua news agency said, citing a statement from a meeting chaired by President Xi Jinping on Tuesday.

Xi called for solid efforts to advance reforms, with more focus needed on the economy, at the meeting of the Central Leading Group for Deepening Overall Reform.

Some analysts say China's reforms, particularly those of state firms, have been slower than expected.

China should deepen rural land reform and protect land rights according to land transfer contracts and ensure stable business expectations, the statement said. Protection of intellectual property rights should also be improved, the group said.

The statement said green finance was important for environmentally friendly development and supply-side reform.

(Reporting by Beijing Monitoring Desk and Elias Glenn; Editing by Nick Macfie)