Chinese vice premier urges improving industrial innovation system, stabilizing foreign trade

ZHENGZHOU, June 23 -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng has called for accelerating efforts to improve the industrial innovation system and continuing to stabilize the scale and improve the structure of foreign trade.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in central China's Henan Province from June 21 to 23.

The vice premier called for promoting the deep integration of sci-tech innovation and industrial innovation, and further empowering the upgrading of traditional industries.

Efforts should also be made to fully leverage China's strengths in industry, market and technology, deepen alignment with international rules and standards, effectively respond to external uncertainties, and promote the integrated development of trade in goods and services, He said.

He also called for further enriching consumption scenarios, improving the quality of products and services, enhancing consumers' willingness to spend, and better meeting people's needs for a high-quality life.

He stressed the need to effectively prevent and defuse risks in key areas, continue to advance reform and risk mitigation of local small and medium-sized financial institutions, and stabilize the real estate market.

The vice premier urged timely measures to help enterprises address practical difficulties, stabilize and boost market expectations, and carry out economic work via greater efforts and more concrete steps.