BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday called for more efforts to boost employment and unveiled new measures to encourage people to start their own business.

Due to increasing pressure on employment this year, the government must introduce more proactive policies to spur employment, said a statement released after an executive meeting of the State Council presided over by Premier Li.

Mass entrepreneurship and innovation is the way to make people rich and the country strong, the statement said, adding it is conducive to structural optimization of industries and enterprises.