Premier Li urges efforts to boost innovation for new growth momentum

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang joins a panel discussion with deputies to the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) from Shandong Province at the annual session of the NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 6, 2017. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

　　BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday called for more efforts to create a favorable environment for innovation and entrepreneurship and seek new driving forces for the economy.

　　For China to maintain medium-high economic growth, the biggest potential lies in bringing out the creativity of the country's population of more than 1.3 billion, said Li while joining a group of lawmakers from Shandong Province to discuss the government work report.

　　He stressed the need to further cut taxes and fees, and promised to build innovation platforms to meet the demands from emerging industries and new business models.

　　"The gathering of new growth momentum could help create jobs and lead the economy to higher levels," he said.

　　In the government work report the premier delivered Sunday, China set the growth target for 2017 at around 6.5 percent, with the goal of creating over 11 million urban jobs.

　　The premier said this year's growth rate, which remains at a medium-high level, could support enough employment.

　　While reiterating the basic tone of "seeking progress while maintaining stability," he called for more focus on improving growth quality and efficiency to strengthen internal impetus for the economy.

　　Premier Li also demanded more attention on issues related to the people's well-being, such as education, medical care, social security, housing and environmental protection.