Premier Li hears opinions on gov't work report

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang listened to opinions on education, science and technology, culture, health and sports, while presiding over a meeting on the government work report on Tuesday.

Attendees, including writers, actors, athletes and people working in universities, academies, media groups, science and technology companies, offered several suggestions and expectations such as greater investment in education and more effective prevention and control of cancer.

"Education, science and technology, culture, health and sports are social undertakings that create values and guide development," Li said. "Better social products and services in these fields will benefit people's livelihoods and boost development and industrial restructuring."

According to Li, the input enables the government work report to better reflect social concerns, guiding government decisions when addressing people's concerns.

While stressing the government's "unshirkable responsibilities" to provide greater support in these fields, Li called for efficient use of funds and cooperation.

Other topics at Tuesday's meeting included sports management reform, more TV and film productions with international impact, a better academic environment and improved incentive policies in the cultural field.

"Culture is the soul of a nation... A sound environment should be built to ensure the inheritance of outstanding cultures, unite people's mind and strengthen the spread and accumulation of knowledge," Li said.

Li also urged more support to help college graduates start up their own businesses, repair and upgrade of poor housing units as well as efforts to boost agricultural modernization and farmers' incomes.

Tuesday's meeting followed a similar meeting on Monday during which Li heard opinions on the government work report regarding the economy, which will be officially unveiled in March. Endi