Chinese premier stresses innovation-driven development

BEIJING - Premier Li Keqiang has called for efforts to promote innovation-driven development as a new technological and industrial revolution brings profound changes to the world.

China should promote innovation-driven development and reach the world's technological forefront, Li said Thursday while chairing a symposium on the new industrial revolution.

Li said the new revolution will reshape the economic and political landscape, rearrange global competitiveness and significantly change existing industries.

China should come up with more original research in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum science, gene editing, new materials and new energy, he said.

Importance should be attached to innovation capability, upgrading traditional growth engines and fostering new growth drivers to maintain a medium-to-high pace of growth and achieve a medium-to-high level of development in the long run, the premier said.

China needs to support fundamental research and encourage businesses to undertake fundamental research, Li said, calling for better integrating fundamental research and application of that research to transform research into productivity.

Li also underlined the importance of reform and opening up, focusing on minimizing administrative procedures, improving regulations and services, while expanding international cooperation.