Vice Premier Stresses Economic Restructuring

BEIJING, Jan. 9 -- Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Friday called for further economic restructuring and innovation to stabilize growth and boost development amid a grim economic outlook at home and abroad.

China should stabilize economic growth and price levels while accelerating economic restructuring to transform the way it propels the economy, Li said at a seminar on urbanization, emerging industries, mining resources and environment.

Li said the country needs to expand domestic demand to maintain growth, particularly by promoting urbanization.

The government will extend basic public services to more people and encourage qualified migrant workers to settle down in cities in an orderly manner by helping them solve problems related to education, medical service and housing.

To expand or create market demand, China should modify its industrial structure and promote the development of advanced manufacturing, emerging strategic industries and the modern tertiary sector.

As China is under pressure to ensure energy security during its modernization drive, Li said the country should continue to engage in energy-saving and emission reduction efforts for a "long and lasting time."

The government will strengthen air pollution control and gradually implement higher standards to measure particles less than 2.5 microns, or PM2.5, in cities across the country.