“Why does China only set up 1 percent of international standards while issuing the most industrial permits in the world?” That was the question raised by Premier Li Keqiang at a symposium on Aug 25 in Beijing.

Premier Li encouraged the attendees to feel free to give opinions on building a manufacturing powerhouse and transforming the economy at the symposium. 50 leaders of manufacturing enterprises and 35 senior government officials were invited.

Haier Group Board Chairman Zhang Ruimin introduced the “internal startups” in the company, saying that they have contributed a lot to the group’s fast growth.

“Now many big companies are encouraging internal startups, making employees the boss of small businesses. So the company can be closer to the market and meet the diversified demand,” the Premier said.

“It is a good example of institutional innovation,” he said. “Only by promoting technological innovation and institutional innovation at the same time can China upgrade manufacturing to the middle and high level.”

Training skilled workers is a common concern of business leaders. Premier Li asked officials at the symposium to do more research in reforming vocational education to train more “craftsmen”.

He also urged enterprises to create incentives to attract skilled workers. For example, he mentioned a previous visit abroad when “The leader of a big company told me that some senior workers with special skills got the same salary as the general manager.”

“Do the enterprises in China have such courage?” the Premier asked.

Some manufacturing leaders said they hoped that the government can continue to cut taxes and administrative fees. The Premier said that the government will firmly implement the policies of cutting taxes and fees, and research financial and monetary policies to promote manufacturing upgrade and encourage financial institutions to develop inclusive finance for enterprises, especially small and medium-ones.

He also urged continuing to cut unreasonable permits, enhance market supervision and crack down on fake and inferior products, and improve intellect property rights protection.

To all the problems raised by the manufacturing leaders at the symposium, Premier Li asked the officials to do effective research and take measures.

“China’s manufacturing is still on the middle and low-end of the international industrial chain. It is urgent to upgrade the manufacturing,” he said.