Premier Li Keqiang urged ensuring sufficient supply and stable price of meat for the upcoming Spring Festival holidays during an inspection tour to Northwest China’s Qinghai province, a plateau area featuring frigid temperatures.

The Premier made his visit on Jan 21, which is four days before Chinese New Year, according to China's lunar calendar. This day is supposed to be spent in a shopping spree to prepare for the Spring Festival. Hence Premier Li's inspection started with a farm produce fair, where he inquired about supply, prices and food safety.

Premier Li visited stalls featuring New Year couplets, meat, and other agricultural products to learn about the market situation.

At a stall for beef and mutton, the Premier asked the owner about the price hike, the correlation to pork prices and supplies.

The owner said the year-on-year increase was acceptable, and they got sufficient and fresh beef and mutton on a daily basis. The owner also asked the Premier whether he needed any beef and mutton for the Spring Festival, and was told supplies in Beijing are ensured.

Premier Li stressed that sufficient and affordable meat must be secured to make sure people enjoy a happy holiday.