Premier Li Keqiang called on March 7 for efforts to further streamline government administration and optimize the country’s economic structure amid efforts to stabilize growth in the face of downward pressure.

Li made the remarks during panel discussions with lawmakers from Jiangsu and Hebei provinces attending the annual session of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s top legislature.

Premier Li Keqiang (C), also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, joins a discussion with deputies to the 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) from north China’s Hebei province during the third session of the 12th NPC, in Beijing on March 7.[Photo/Xinhua]

Speaking with NPC deputies from Jiangsu, Li said the government should further streamline administration and delegate more powers to lower levels so as to give the market and society more play in promoting development.

Mass entrepreneurship and innovation should be encouraged to achieve medium-high level of economic development, he said.

He also urged common development of the central and western regions.

Zhao Zhihai (2nd L), chief agronomist of Zhangjiakou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, who is a deputy to the 12th National People’s Congress (NPC), presents a sample of hybrid millet to Premier Li Keqiang (1st L), during a panel discussion of deputies to the 12th NPC from north China’s Hebei province during the third session of the 12th NPC, in Beijing on March 7.[Photo/Xinhua]

While attending the panel discussion with deputies from Hebei, Li said the province should explore a new path of development, nurturing emerging industries and phasing out outdated production capacity.

He also called on coordinated development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, emphasizing battle against pollution, which has raised public concern in recent years.