Premier Li Keqiang stressed reform and opening-up, economic stability and improvement in people's livelihoods during his inspection tour to Northwest China's Shaanxi province from Oct 14 to 15.

He visited Mingdemen North Community, a residential community built for low-income families over 20 years ago. He heard reports on renovations of old communities in Xi’an and inquired about residents' need for renovations.

He inspected the state of one house and asked about the living situation. He also paid visits to nurseries and kindergartens.

The Premier said that renovations of old communities will not only improve people's living standard, but also help expand effective investment and consumption. Related mechanisms and systems should be innovated to attract social forces to join the government in the renovations, the Premier said, adding that renovated communities should be both attractive and functional.

At a small roadside shop, the Premier learned about the prices of daily necessities and taxes. Then he went inside a Chinese hamburger restaurant, asking the owner and diners about their opinions on the markup of pork prices.

The Premier then called for governments at all levels to stabilize the price of pork and its supply, and to ensure people’s basic livelihood. He also underlined carrying out favorable policies in tax and fee cuts for individual businesses, which is beneficial to adding employment.

During his inspection of Samsung (China) Semiconductor Co Ltd, Premier Li said China will stick to opening-up, and continue improving the business environment. China will strictly protect intellectual property rights and treat all types of Chinese and foreign enterprises registered in China as equals.

The intelligent electronics industrial park of CHINT Electric Co Ltd is one of the key projects for Shaanxi province to undertake industrial transfer from the eastern region. The person in charge of the enterprise said they have already transferred many production lines here, expanding their new developing space.

The Premier said the western region contains huge potential, but the key is to build a better business environment. Thus the country will roll out more targeted policy support.

Yinchuan-Xi'an high-speed railway connects Shaanxi province and Ningxia Hui autonomous region, along with Gansu province. After the project is completed, Ningxia will no longer be without a high-speed rail system, and the travel time from Yinchuan to Xi'an will be reduced, from 14 hours to 3 hours. Premier Li went to the construction site in the rain.

He emphasized that major projects in the western region should be constructed with high-quality. Effective investment should be stepped up to lay a solid foundation for the region's development and improvement in people's livelihood. He also wished the workers well.

The Premier paid a visit to Xi'an Jiaotong University, where he inspected the state key laboratories. He acknowledged their innovations. After hearing that the proportion of graduates leaving for the western region increases year after year, he said that previously talent would often pursue careers in more developed areas, but now the western region is strengthening its appeal.

The Premier also talked with academicians and professors, expressing his gratitude for their efforts in cultivating generations of talent in the western region. He also encouraged the university to make more contributions to the development of education and breakthroughs in science and technology.

At Xi'an Pioneering Community, young makers presented their innovative achievements to the Premier. The Premier asked them what policy support they need the most, and they said they want financing support and more convenient market access for innovative products.

The Premier immediately asked a person in charge to do research for creating a better ecology for entrepreneurship and innovation. He also encouraged makers to strive to grow from small teams to unicorn companies.

State Councilor Xiao Jie and head of the National Development and Reform Commission He Lifeng also joined the inspection.