SHIJIAZHUANG -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday urged North China's Hebei province to make new progress in promoting the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a research trip to the province on the same day.

Li stressed efforts to drive development through innovation, accelerate a comprehensive green transition, and support the high-standard and high-quality construction of the Xiong'an New Area.

During his visit to China Satellite Network Group Co., Ltd. in the Xiong'an New Area, Li stressed efforts to attract more competitive enterprises to settle in and cultivate a high-tech industrial system to inject new momentum into the development of the Xiong'an New Area.

He also learned about the ecological environment management and protection of the Baiyangdian Lake, and praised the local efforts in improving the local ecological environment. He said it is crucial to promote the coordinated protection and ecological restoration of the lake and its upstream and downstream areas.

During a visit to a semiconductor company in the city of Baoding, Li was briefed on its progress in scientific and technological innovation. He encouraged the company to grasp cutting-edge trends, increase R&D investment, strive to overcome challenges in key and core technologies, and continuously enhance the competitive advantage.

The premier also visited a dike construction site in the city of Zhuozhou, where he reviewed its latest progress and listened to reports on major post-disaster water conservancy projects in Hebei.

Noting that the province faced unusually heavy rainstorms and floods last year, Li called for accelerated efforts in housing reconstruction, repair and reinforcement, alongside enhanced planning and construction of flood control systems.

Li also urged local officials to give extra attention to the well-being of affected residents as winter approaches, ensuring they stay safe throughout the season.