China's Vice Premier Li Keqiang stressed the priority to maintain stable, healthy economic growth through domestic demand expansion and economic restructuring during his two-day inspection tour in the eastern metropolis of Shanghai.

He said the economic development was the foundation for solving all problems. As the central government had pointed out, priority should be given to maintaining stable and relatively fast economic growth next year.

This would be achieved through expanding domestic demand, restructuring the economy and transforming the growth pattern. All would ultimately target improving people's living standard.

Li paid a visit to the city from December 12 to 13. He expressed appreciation for the progress Shanghai made in developing the Pudong New District and said the only way to sustain growth was to "deepen the opening-up".

He urged local authorities to let the market play a fundamental role in the allocation of resources, step up innovation in corporate management.

While visiting Yangshan Deep Water Port, he said planers need a "broad vision", adding that efforts should be made to sustain and expand export to sharpen the country's competitive edge in the global market.

During his inspection tour at local companies such as Baosteel Group Co. and China UnionPay, he said companies were the main drive of domestic demand expansion. They must accelerate technological innovation and structural adjustment.

Meanwhile, local government should encourage development of service industry, as well as advanced equipment manufacturing and high-tech industries, he said.

The vice premier also visited local communities and chatted with residents. He said the government would continue promoting reforms in the housing and medicare systems. The ultimate goal was to improve people's living condition.

(Xinhua News Agency December 15, 2008)