Premier Li Keqiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said more work should be done to advance reform and opening-up and develop more market entities to fuel economic growth.

He made the remarks during his inspection tour of Songyuan and Changchun cities in Northeast China's Jilin province, from June 15 to 16.

In Songyuan, Premier Li checked corn growth and talked with farmers and agricultural technicians. They told the Premier that ideal soil moisture content and weather this year will bring a good harvest, but they felt unsettled about the intensely rising prices of agricultural supplies and the recent fall in the price of corn.

Premier Li stressed that effective measures should be taken to stabilize the prices of agricultural supplies in the recent key period of grain production. Efforts must be made to control price hikes and keep grain prices within a reasonable range to protect farmers’ incentive to produce.

China has a large population, and sufficient food supply will secure stability of the nation, the Premier said. He called for good protection of the valuable black earth to cultivate more high-quality grain varieties, in order to make the northeastern region a better granary for the nation.

Premier Li visited Chagan Lake to inspect ecological and environmental protection. The lake plays an important role in regulating and improving the surrounding ecological environment, said Premier Li.

He stressed that unremitting efforts should be made to protect the water environment, to promote fishery and other industries and bring even more renown to the lake.

Jilin Panpan Foods is invested and built by an enterprise from East China. The Premier asked about the implementation of tax and fee cuts and talked with the workers.

As an all-time sunrise industry, the food sector has many market segments, said the Premier, extending his hope for the company to develop more healthy foods for diversified consumer demands.

Learning that the company plans to expand investment in the region, Premier Li encouraged them, saying that Northeast China is a good place for development and a good life, adding that the ideal business environment would bring even more investment.

He called for more efforts to deepen the reform, create a market-based and law-based international business environment, and support market players, to give more confidence to domestic and foreign businesses in investing in Northeast China. It will better represent the promising prospects of Northeast China's development.

Premier Li heard reports on Jilin’s revitalization, opening-up and cooperation. He inspected enterprises based in a demonstration zone for international cooperation between China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Changchun, asking about their advice on the business environment.

The zone should not only welcome large companies to invest and promote business, but also seek cooperation and joint development with small- and medium-sized companies, the Premier said.

The Premier called for customized services to increase the number of small- and medium-sized businesses, since many of them have unique cutting-edge technologies. He also stressed that large enterprises should be further developed.

With advantages in its near-border and coastal location, Northeast China should further open up, especially to Northeast Asia. He said that the region should view RCEP as a good chance to enhance regional cooperation and form a shared industrial chain to fuel the regional development and vitality.

While inspecting the privately owned Ferry Innovation Works, a service provider for mass entrepreneurship and innovation, Premier Li praised their efforts to combine incubation and venture capital in boosting innovation, and affirmed the government’s facilitating services.

The Premier said that small innovation products are of great significance. He learned about the startup owners’ entrepreneurship experience and asked what support they need, adding that the government will continue to stimulate creativity.

The Premier also encouraged them to play to their own strengths and support each other for more success.

Premier Li fully affirmed the achievements Jilin has made in its economic and social development, and expressed his hope that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with President Xi Jinping as the core, the province will make pioneering, innovative and solid efforts and continue to contribute to the overall revitalization and high-quality development of Northeast China.

State Councilor Xiao Jie, and He Lifeng, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, also participated in the inspection tour.