BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called for efforts to improve the manufacturing industry in order to ensure medium-high level economic growth on Monday.

China's manufacturing has contributed to the country's growing comprehensive national strength, but it is still at a middle and low level in terms of international division of labor, Premier Li said during an inspection to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

China must improve its manufacturing of high-tech equipments as well as ordinary consumer goods, Li said.

Innovation and entrepreneurship should be encouraged to turn China from a manufacturing outsourcing destination for developed economies to one that boasts many renowned brands of its own, he said, adding that there needs be a deep integration of manufacturing and the modern services industry.

China must aim to upgrade its manufacturing by embracing emerging technology such as big data, cloud computing, the Internet of things and 3D printing, the Premier said.

The Premier called for higher cost-efficiency and clean production in the manufacturing sector.

China's manufacturing industry should take the initiative to go global through international cooperation, Li said, noting reforms of state-owned enterprises should deepen while assistance needs to be in place to nurture small enterprises.

The State Council, China's cabinet, unveiled the ten-year national plan "Made in China 2025" on May 19, designed to transform China from a manufacturing giant into a world manufacturing power.

On the same day, the Premier also visited China Nuclear Power Engineering Co Ltd and praised its Hualong One Technology, a domestically-developed third generation reactor design.

China needs to develop forms of green energy like nuclear energy, Li said. He urged the company to always put safety first.