Premier Li stresses Yangtze waterway development   

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (2nd L) inspects shipping and enviroment protetction on the Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing, April 28, 2014. Li made an inspection tour in Chongqing from April 27 to 29.(Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has urged development of the "golden waterway" on the Yangtze River as a driving force for regional growth.

A comprehensive transportation network linking cities along the Yangtze River will bring about golden development opportunities, said Li during an inspection tour in the country's western region from April 27 to 29.

China is considering creating an economic belt along the Yangtze River to connect the relatively developed eastern region with less developed central and western areas.

The belt is expected to provide new development stimuli for more than one fifth of the country's land and about 600 million people.

Li stressed ecological protection along the Yangtze River and called for creating the waterway in a green corridor.

At Orchard Port, a major port along the Yangtze River linking water, railway and road transportation, the premier stressed development of logistics.

During his trip, Li also visited Chongqing Municipality and called for reform and innovation in the development and opening up of the country's western region.

At a local economic zone, Li visited a telecom company that moved here from Beijing last year and has provided jobs for more than 1,500 locals.

Li said industry transfer is important to add employment and warned against pollution brought by it.

At a local port, Li talked with some labors and said hard-working workers make China's economy resilient amid the global downturn.

Li stressed the role of innovation and infrastructure development in driving growth during his trips to an automation company and a light rail project.

The premier urged Chongqing to grasp opportunities brought by the country's moves to develop the western region and the Yangtze River economic belt, and advance local social and economic development.