Vice-Premier Liu Yandong pushed for more efforts in building world-class universities in China at a meeting on higher education in Beijing on Dec 9.

She said the quality of curriculum and teachers at universities should be improved to better educate students.

Academic research will be shown more support to encourage innovation, said the vice-premier.

She also called for universities to develop liberal arts and social sciences, build high-level think tanks and promote cultural exchanges and cooperation with foreign colleges.