Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (C) talks with staff members of Fresh & Easy Holdings Group in Central China's Henan province, Sept 24, 2015. Li had an inspection tour in Henan from Sept 23 to 25. [Photo/Xinhua]

Premier Li Keqiang emphasized innovation and entrepreneurship during his three-day visit to central China's Henan Province, which ended Friday.

During his time in the city of Luoyang, Li visited Luoyang Mining Machinery Factory, a 60-year-old factory that was named a national key project in the 1950s.

To nurture innovation, the factory has set up five skilled craftsman studios and 16 workers' maker spaces. More than 4,000 employees have been involved in the programs.

The premier encouraged the workers to channel their energy into tackling technical problems and to enhance the reputation of "Made in China."

Li visited a food company in the city of Xuchang, which has improved their management by digitalizing their operations.

These examples of innovative projects by big and established companies prove that innovation and entrepreneurship is not just for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the premier said.

The effect of innovation and entrepreneurship can be fully felt if both big enterprises and SMEs both work toward the same end goal, Li said.

Li added that the reform of state-owned enterprises should run in parallel with innovation and entrepreneurship.

While visiting Henan Bonded Logistics Center in the capital city of Zhengzhou, Li encouraged companies that are exploring cross-border e-commerce to aim high, and set their sights on the global market. He also asked local government agencies to streamline administration processes and improves the services they provide to them.