Premier Li Keqiang hailed Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region as “fertile land” for innovation and entrepreneurship while attending a discussion with deputies from the region to the National People’s Congress (NPC) on March 10.

“I felt during my previous visit to Xinjiang that people of all ethnic groups in the region have many creative ideas,” Premier Li said.

He asked the region to make every effort to promote mass entrepreneurship and innovation and urged the government at all levels to provide platforms for the public’s innovation and business startups to ensure more people can have jobs.

Employment is the biggest issue concerning people’s lives, he said.

Responding to an NPC delegate who said he hoped more people could find jobs and make money, the Premier said jobs greatly concern people’s lives.