Premier cites steps to rejuvenate northeastern rust belt

Premier Li Keqiang underscored the importance of greater strides in reform and opening-up and more steps to improve the business environment in rejuvenating the country's northeastern rust belt on Monday.

Li said during an inspection trip to Dalian, Liaoning province, that the Northeast must enhance its competitiveness in growth through furthering reform to cut red tape, boost oversight of compliance and improve government services.

It is also a crucial step to enable the market to play a decisive role in the allocation of resources and to help the government play a better role in the process, he said.