BEIJING, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Top political advisor Jia Qinglin has called for accelerating the transformation of China's growth pattern while improving people's livelihoods.

Jia made the remarks during a six-day inspection tour of Jiangsu and Shandong provinces that ended Wednesday.

China's economic development has maintained steady growth, although pressure for a slowdown still remains, said Jia, who called for the close tracking of economic changes and keeping policies targeted and effective so as to achieve the country's economic and social development goals.

Jia urged the promotion of industrial upgrades and technical innovation, as well as more support for medium- and small-sized enterprises and the transformation of the foreign trade development pattern.

Jia said trade and economic cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan is witnessing new opportunities, adding that cooperation in the industrial and technical sectors should be strengthened.

More should be done to create a better investment environment for Taiwanese enterprises, he added.

Jia also urged more efforts to enhance cultural development and increase the supply of public cultural products and services, as well as protecting historic and cultural sites.

Low-carbon development should be strengthened and ecological construction and environmental protection should be promoted in order to improve living conditions for both urban and rural residents, said Jia. Enditem