Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang Saturday urged efforts to better use geographic information so as to better serve the country's economic and social development.

Li made the remarks when attending an exhibition on maps and the achievements of China's geographic information application.

The exploration and application of geographic information and mapping since China launched its reform and opening-up policy in 1978 had played an important role in promoting the country's development, he said.

It has benefited sectors including urban and rural planning, land resources administration, environmental protection, quake-relief and national defense, according to Li.

He urged efforts to build a system of mapping and surveying in an information age and strengthen the capacity of mapping and surveying in providing service for the country's modernization drive.

The industry of geographic information should be expanded and meet multi-level and diversified market demands so as to better serve society and the people, he said.

Li also urged scientific researchers to embrace innovation in their work so as to produce more high-quality surveying and mapping instruments.

Source: Xinhua