Premier Li Keqiang called on Hunan province to take the lead in the development of the central part of China by further improving its business environment and upgrading the real economy.

Premier Li spoke on March 12 with deputies to the 13th National People’s Congress from Hunan when discussing the work report delivered on March 11 by Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the 12th National People’s Congress.

Under the leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, with Xi Jinping at the core, the NPC Standing Committee has done valuable work, Premier Li said, adding that he completely agreed with Zhang’s work report.

Six deputies made suggestions and Premier Li expressed his appreciation regarding Hunan’s development.

The Premier urged the province to continue reform and opening-up, develop new momentum for economic growth by integrating with the Internet Plus Initiative, which aims to transform traditional industries with information technology, and resolve the issue of unbalanced and insufficient development.

The province should also improve the quality and accessibility of public services while guarding against major risks, pushing forward targeted poverty alleviation, and preventing and controlling pollution, Premier Li said.

Other Chinese leaders — members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee — also joined discussions with NPC deputies.

When speaking with deputies from Jilin province, Li Zhanshu said the most vital work is to learn and adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, particularly concerning legislative work.

When joining a group discussion with deputies from the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Wang Yang said the region’s work should focus on social stability and long-term prosperity. He said exchanges between all ethnic groups should be further boosted to build a united, harmonious and prosperous Xinjiang.

Discussing with deputies from Qinghai province, Wang Huning said the province should promote high-quality development, win a victory in targeted poverty alleviation, and bring people from all ethnic groups a stronger sense of gains, happiness and safety.

Speaking to deputies from Gansu province, Zhao Leji called on the province to make further efforts in poverty relief, ecological protection, reform and innovation-driven development to realize high-quality development.

In discussions with deputies from Hainan province, Han Zheng said Hainan should take the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening-up to build a more prosperous and more livable province, he said.