Premier stresses focus on research, innovation

Subsidies for China's postgraduate degree candidates set to be raised

Premier Li Keqiang pledged to grant universities and research institutions more independence in teaching and research, and to raise subsidies for graduate students pursuing master's degrees or doctorates, as part of efforts to boost basic research and innovation.

The premier was speaking at a meeting on Monday to solicit suggestions for the annual Government Work Report in March from representatives in the fields of education, science, culture, sports and healthcare as well as startup businesses, according to a statement released on Tuesday.