Premier urges local governments to propel reform

BEIJING - Premier Li Keqiang met the heads of several major provincial regions on Monday, urging them to push forward supply-side structural reform to help stabilize economic growth.

Local authorities should cut red tape, implement tax breaks, encourage innovation and eliminate outdated capacity, Li told governors of Hebei, Liaoning, Jiangsu, Shandong, Hunan, Guangdong, Qinghai, and mayor of Chongqing when discussing the nation's economic situation.

According to the premier, China needs joint efforts from central and local governments to face up to economic challenges.