China faces tougher economic challenges: vice premier

The global financial crisis and economic slowdown are exerting greater impact on the industrial enterprises in China as well as the nation's economy, the Shanghai Securities News reported today, citing vice premier Zhang Dejiang as saying.

The remarks were made during Zhang's weekend inspection of the industrial sector in Central China's Hubei province.

Zhang urged the local officials to give strong support to key industrial enterprises as well as small and medium-sized enterprises. The vice premier also encourage the local enterprises to boost technological innovation and enhance corporate governance so as to improve their competitiveness.