People are the most important element in the development of mass entrepreneurship and innovation, Premier Li Keqiang said at a news conference in Beijing on March 15.

China’s 800 million-strong labor force, among whom 170 million received higher education and training in professional skills, is a tremendous source to generate enormous market opportunities for both China and the world, he said.

The government should create a good environment to promote business startups and innovation and for Chinese people to make the best of their intelligence, he added.

Mass entrepreneurship and innovation has not only brought many job opportunities, but also created many modes of business, including the sharing economy and Internet Plus, Premier Li said.