Premier Li Keqiang said on Sept 5 that people are the most precious resource and hailed craftsmanship while visiting Linfen, a city in North China’s Shanxi province.

During his inspection tour to Huaxiang Group in Linfen, the Premier was informed that there are nearly 30 senior technicians whose annual salary exceeds one million yuan (about $153,000), and the highest is more than 3 million yuan, nearly four times that of the general manager.

“With such attention to technicians, your company will usher in a bright prospect,” the Premier said.

He also encouraged senior technicians to develop the craftsmanship spirit in efforts to increase the competitiveness of made-in-China products both in value and quality.

In front of Taiyuan Iron & Steel Co’s (TISCO) old plants, which are being demolished, the Premier said the company should produce high-end products with less redundant staff and higher efficiency.

He also said that some workers who are redundant at companies with backward capacity can become talent and create more wealth at another company.

The TISCO factory in Linfen turned its losses into profits this year through cutting backward capacity and transferring redundant staff to other jobs.