Chinese premier urges to boost growth, improve people's well-being

Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized on Monday that it is necessary to advance development, improve people's well-being, and boost growth momentum more solidly and effectively.

Li, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks on Monday, during an inspection tour in east China's Shandong Province.

Smart manufacturing is the key to driving technological transformation and industrial upgrading, Li said, noting that artificial intelligence technologies should be actively utilized to comprehensively reshape the entire production and manufacturing chain throughout its lifecycle.

He called for efforts to accelerate the research, development and application of green and low-carbon technologies, as well as to convert industrial waste heat into a stable and clean thermal energy source.

During the tour, Li was briefed on the development of energy infrastructure and nuclear power projects in Shandong. He underscored the importance of coordinating the construction and safe operation of clean energy projects, enhancing technological capabilities and regulatory oversight, and strengthening support for the development of a modern energy system.

During the tour, Li chaired a symposium to gather opinions and suggestions on the draft government work report, the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, and the government's work.

Governments at all levels should leverage their local comparative advantages and actively foster new growth drivers, Li said.

To coordinate the formulation and implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan, the premier emphasized the need for governments to develop plans for a series of significant initiatives and key projects to make greater progress in priority areas. These areas include the development of new quality productive forces tailored to meet local demands, the improvement of the domestic economic cycle, and the promotion of employment and income growth of residents.