Premier Li Keqiang went to Xi'an Jiaotong University on Oct 15 during his inspection tour to Shaanxi province, where he heard about the university's history and visited state key laboratories.
On hearing of the Premier's visit, students flocked to shake hands and take pictures with him. The Premier said he was delighted to hear that more graduates from the university - almost half of the total - are choosing to stay in the western region in recent years.
In the past, talent would often pursue careers in more developed areas, but now the western region is strengthening its appeal, he said.
The Premier also talked with academicians and professors, expressing his gratitude for their efforts in cultivating generations of talent in the western region. He also encouraged the university to make more contributions to the development of education and breakthroughs in science and technology.