SUZHOU -- Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong has called on authorities to pursue innovation-driven development and step up educational modernization and medical reform.

Liu made the remarks during a visit to eastern China's Jiangsu province, where she visited tech firms and chaired a symposium.

Authorities should deepen supply-side structural reform and focus on strategic and industrial needs as well as core technology to inspire innovation, she said.

Application, disposal and usufruct of achievements must also be properly managed to create a good environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, she added.

Liu also urged authorities to intensify work in medical insurance reform, to strengthen education equality and provide better support for rural teachers.