Two days prior to the National Teachers' Day, Premier Li Keqiang commended the 15 million teachers of the country, lauding their significant contribution to China's development.
Li thanked the teachers' hard work and dedication during a meeting with model urban and rural teachers on Tuesday. He expressed his gratitude, on behalf of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, saying that the teachers "have upheld the world's biggest education system."
The Chinese premier also urged teachers to continue honing China's human resources as "talent bonuses."
Additionally, Li vowed that the government will be giving more support to provide greater incentives and personal elevation to those who work in the countryside.
Governments as well as party committees are also required to not cut back on financial support for education, Li shared, adding his call to deepen reforms in the education sector.
Premier Li also brought good news as he said that the government's expenditure on education will continue to increase amid a tight national budget.
"The country's fiscal revenue is not quite sufficient but education must be our top priority no matter how difficult it is. Education expenses can only be increased rather than slashed," he remarked.
Li emphasized that education is a century project for a country's development, also sharing that he used to be a teacher.
Moreover, Li noted that teachers who work passionately should receive more respect.
"We should give more respect to those teachers who stick to their position, especially to those who work in poor and rural areas, because we want development of the whole country and to achieve the goal gradually," he enthused.
Sept. 10 marks the National Teachers' Day in China. The commemoration began in 1985.