Premier Li Keqiang, second right, visits the Muzhailing tunnel construction site on the Lanzhou-Chongqing Railway in Dingxi, Northwest China's Gansu province, on Aug 18, 2013. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday highlighted the importance of railway construction that's designed to promote the development of China's western region.

"It's an arduous project, building railways in the mountainous areas of west China, but your efforts are opening the door to fortune for the poor," said Li, during a visit to a construction site for the Muzhailing tunnel on the Lanzhou-Chongqing Railway.

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Premier Li said the railways under construction do more than just meet the expectation of people in the western region. He said the project is also significant for the relief of poverty and industrial restructuring, as the central and western regions become the new homes of industries that have transferred from the eastern regions.

"The development of the western regions is a great asset for China," said Li. "It will push up employment in the area and raise the whole nation's employment levels."

Li also urged construction workers to ensure the quality of the railway projects, along with their own safety.