Reform of the medical and healthcare system should be deepened, and the development of the sports industry promoted, Vice-Premier Liu Yandong stressed during her inspection tour of Jiangsu province.

Liu visited a public hospital, and a grassroots medical and health service organization, and presided over a symposium on medical reform in some provinces and cities. She said that it was time the current medical reform shows a complete transformation, and added that the focus should be on system innovation to speed up the reform.

A scientific and regulated modern administration mechanism should be established on the principle of equity and serving the people, the vice-premier said. Basic medical services which are safe, efficient, convenient and affordable should be provided to the public, and service capacity at the grassroots level should be improved to combat chronic diseases with long-term healthcare, she said.

Liu also visited a fitness center and sports park, and held a symposium to discuss how to accelerate the development of the sports industry and promote sports. She emphasized that the document issued by the State Council on the topic should be implemented, and efforts should be made to make the sports industry a new economic growth point. She also said that sports stadiums should be open to the public to promote both competitive sports and mass sports — thus creating an interaction between sport and the industry; and promoting coordinated development of the sports industry and other related industries.

The vice-premier also visited a science and technology innovation center and entrepreneurship center, and encouraged innovation and entrepreneurship.