BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has encouraged the nation's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to push forward overseas industrial and equipment manufacturing cooperation to further boost opening-up and development.

International manufacturing cooperation will counter the economic slowdown, help the country realize medium-high economic growth and aid industrial development, the premier said in his message to a meeting of centrally-administered SOEs on the agenda that ended in Beijing Friday.

The premier also called on SOEs to be sensitive to other countries' demands and explore opportunities afforded by the Belt and Road initiative.

He urged them to pay special attention to quality, creditability, brands, service improvement, and to balance business with benefits to the local people.

Speaking at the meeting, State Councilor Wang Yong suggested SOEs look into innovative and flexible measures in areas such as trade, investment, industrial park construction, and technological cooperation to underpin their global cooperation.

He said SOEs could also consider forming alliances for advantages in exploring the overseas markets.