Chinese Premier Li Qiang (fourth from left), also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspects Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co Ltd in south China's Guangdong province, Aug 23, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Qiang has stressed the importance of adhering to reform and opening-up, forging ahead with innovation, creating new advantages for high-quality development, and making solid progress in advancing Chinese modernization.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in south China's Guangdong Province from Tuesday to Thursday.

On Wednesday, Li inspected BTR New Material Group Co Ltd, SmartMore Corporation Limited, Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co Ltd, and Huawei

On Tuesday, Li inspected Dongguan Yutong Optical Technology Co Ltd, and encouraged the company to continue its work and rely on innovation to open up new space for development.

He observed a demonstration of new products and technologies at Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, and expressed a wish to promote deep industry-university-research integration further and strive to make greater progress in core technology breakthroughs.

At the China Spallation Neutron Source, Li stressed the importance of unremittingly strengthening basic research, and of contributing to achieving China's self-reliance and strength in science and technology.

On Wednesday, Li inspected BTR New Material Group Co Ltd, SmartMore Corporation Limited, Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co Ltd, and Huawei.

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He commended the achievements the enterprises have made in innovation and development, encouraging them to continue working toward the top international level and gain a competitive advantage in the market with their technologies and products.

Li urged relevant parties to continue optimizing government services and creating a favorable environment for the development of enterprises.

Photo taken on June 7, 2022 shows the Lingdingyang Bridge under construction as part of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan link in south China. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

At a construction site of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan link, Li urged efforts to advance the project's high-standard and high-quality construction so that the mega project will be able to support the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area better.

When visiting the Qianhai Kerry Centre on Wednesday, Li heard a report on the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone and underscored the need to give full play to its location and policy advantages, contributing to cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Li hosted a symposium during his inspection tour and listened to reports from relevant government departments and heads of companies based in Shenzhen city and Guangdong province.

China's Ministry of Finance Thursday called for efforts to fully implement fiscal and tax policies to support small and medium-sized enterprises to boost their high-quality development

During the symposium, he said that China is in a critical period of economic transformation and upgrading. He underlined the importance of maintaining the country's determination to promote high-quality development, and of continuing efforts to shift its growth model, improve its economic structure, and push for greater growth momentum.

Efforts should be made to promote scientific and technological innovation, increase investment in basic research, focus on cultivating innovative enterprises, and accelerate the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, Li said.

He stressed the importance of implementing reforms to stimulate the vitality of various business entities, accelerate the construction of a unified national market, and create a first-class business environment.

He urged efforts to introduce more creative initiatives in the steady expansion of institutional opening-up, stabilize international market shares, and make greater efforts to attract and utilize foreign capital.

Li fully affirmed Guangdong's achievements in economic and social development, and expressed hope that Guangdong would be at the forefront of the advancement of Chinese modernization and strive to make greater contributions to the overall development of the country.

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New energy vehicles are produced at the Guangzhou Automobile Group Co factory in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Separately, China's Ministry of Finance Thursday called for efforts to fully implement fiscal and tax policies to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to boost their high-quality development.

China's National Development and Reform Commission, the country's economic planner, unveiled measures to supervise grain quality and safety

The ministry stressed the implementation of tax and fee reduction policies to reduce tax burden on small and micro enterprises.

Illegal conduct will be cracked down on with a zero-tolerance stance, the ministry said in a circular.

It also stressed coordinating fiscal and financial policies to ensure the financing demand of SMEs.

The ministry also stressed the implementation of supportive policies such as government-procurement and stabilizing employment to accelerate the development of SMEs.

The circular also encouraged local governments to roll out targeted fiscal policies to help SMEs shore up their weak links.

Also on Thursday, China's National Development and Reform Commission, the country's economic planner, unveiled measures to supervise grain quality and safety.

These measures, which include 50 items in eight chapters, will come into effect on Oct 1.

They aim to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of grain sellers and consumers, strengthen the supervision and administration of grain quality and safety in circulation, and ensure national grain quality and safety.

Those engaged in grain businesses should strictly follow the relevant laws, regulations, policies, and standards and abide by the grain quality and safety management system, noted the measures.