Premier Li Keqiang called on domestic manufacturers to enhance technological innovations and improve quality of products as a way to upgrade the sector and increase global competitiveness.

The premier spoke to the management of a number of leading manufacturers on Friday at a meeting promoting the Made in China 2025 strategy.

Manufacturing is the key to the nation's economic development, and the economic restructuring requires making the sector stronger, Li said. But the sector is still on the low to medium tier compared with other leading countries, thus it is vital to improve the quality and upgrade to increase competitiveness, he said.

The upgrade depends on innovations, and manufacturers should make technological breakthroughs by focusing on quality and branding and using top manufacturing countries as benchmarks, Li said.

Li called for management innovation to transform models for research and development and production, and increase the efficiency for resource allocation. He said manufacturers should also develop customized production to meet diverse demands.

He urged manufacturers to take advantage of China's rich human resources by promoting entrepreneurship and the spirit of craftsmanship, both requiring long-term input to cultivate high-quality managers and technicians.

Meanwhile, Li also pledged administrative reforms to further reduce unreasonable pre-entry approvals and permits, which will decrease institutional costs for manufacturers. However, market supervision will be strengthened to fortify intellectual property rights protection and crack down on counterfeit products, he said. Financial institutions are encouraged to provide aid to small and medium-sized manufacturers, he said.

With the world's largest manufacturing capacity, China's export-oriented manufacturing has been trying to shift the focus to domestic consumption and high added values in recent years. The central government has promoted more high-end manufacturing, including the strategy of Made in China 2025.

The State Council decided to promote the strategy by granting more favorable policies for the manufacturing sector at two executive meetings in May and July.

Li Dongsheng, chairman of TCL Co in Huizhou, Guangdong province, who delivered a speech Friday, said, "The meeting, which focused on improving the real economy and manufacturing, provided encouragement and support for manufacturers like my company."

The premier emphasized the key role of manufacturing to compete, he said. "Our manufacturing provides high-end products, besides those with fewer added values, and should strive for more well-known branding by using Germany and Japan as benchmarks. The meeting gave us confidence that we will make more highly value-added goods and world-leading manufacturing."