'Restructuring economy key to make China a powerhouse'

Restructuring and upgrading the economy was the key in turning China into a powerhouse, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli has said.

Addressing ministers and provincial leaders at a conference in Beijing Sunday, Zhang said technology-based development and environmental protection should be integrated to further upgrade China, Xinhua reported Monday.

Irrational industrial structure, imbalanced development between cities and rural areas as well as among different regions were the major problems to be addressed, he said.

Zhang directed government officials to improve plans on outdated production capacity, and stick to policies to promote resources efficiently.

Focus more on consumption, optimise investment structure and apply innovation-driven development strategies to support economic restructuring, he said.