Vice Premier Li Keqiang has emphasized that intensified efforts are needed to develop the nation's vast western regions and enhance the opening-up of these areas.

During his inspection tour of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from Tuesday to Wednesday, Li said that developing the western regions is part of the country's efforts to stimulate domestic consumption.

Li urged local governments to stabilize foreign trade, and encouraged companies to explore overseas markets, especially emerging ones, and keep up the with eastern and central China's manufacturing industries.

In his visit to a local under-construction sewage treatment plant, the vice premier said infrastructure projects including water and public transport systems are closely related to people's daily lives. "This is an effective investment project, which will help expand consumption."

Li called for more social capital to be invested in infrastructure projects, while asking local authorities to "increase returns on investment and avoid haphazard construction."

During his visit to a shanty town in the city of Shizuishan, Li pledged to renovate the areas and let the residents live in new buildings as soon as possible.

Shanty town renovation projects can not only improve housing conditions for poor people, but also stimulate consumption and investment, which will fuel economic growth, according to the vice premier.

He urged local governments to ensure quality construction and distribute low-income housing units to needy families fairly.