Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (back C) speaks at a symposium on innovation for higher education in Beijing, capital of China, April 15, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua/Pang Xinglei]

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has called for deepening reforms in the country's education sector in order to better cultivate innovative minds.

He made the statement at a symposium that brought together the heads of 53 Beijing-based public and private colleges and universities.

Li said the level of a country's higher education is a key indicator for its overall competitiveness.

He urged colleges and universities to play a bigger role in promoting mass innovation and mass entrepreneurship.

"It is the Colleges and universities' unshakable responsibilities to support the national innovation strategy and most importantly, to cultivate more innovative talents, focusing on raising students' awareness for original innovation and improving their practical capabilities."

The premier stressed local governments must provide more favorable policies for rural and impoverished students to ensure the equality of education.

Li added that higher learning institutions should have more decision-making powers for their own operations, and authorities should delegate more administrative approval powers and cut outdated regulations.

He also said researchers should have a greater say in the application of their own innovative achievements and a greater share of the proceeds from such applications.

Author： 　　　Source：CRI　　　 Editor：Yang Fan