There should be an increased focus on mass entrepreneurship and innovation, and the development of service and newly-emerging industries should be accelerated to create more job opportunities, Premier Li Keqiang told a video conference on employment and entrepreneurship held in Beijing on May 19.

The Premier lauded the continuous growth of employment in recent years even though the economy was facing downward pressure. He noted that China’s economy has entered a “new normal” -- sustained but slower growth — and the employment scenario faces new opportunities and challenges.

Premier Li instructed that more positive employment policies be implemented, and more efforts be made for the employment of university graduates and those who have difficulty in finding jobs. A better entrepreneurship platform should be established through reform, and more jobs be created by the market to promote economic development, he added.

Vice-Premiers Liu Yandong and Ma Kai attended the conference.