Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (2nd L) inspects shipping and enviroment protetction on the Yangtze River in southwest China's Chongqing, April 28, 2014. Li made an inspection tour in Chongqing from April 27 to 29, urging development of the "golden waterway" on the Yangtze River as a driving force for regional growth.(Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has urged development of the "golden waterway" on the Yangtze River as a driving force for regional growth.

A comprehensive transportation network linking cities along the Yangtze River will bring about golden development opportunities, said Li during an inspection tour in the country's western region from April 27 to 29.

China is considering creating an economic belt along the Yangtze River to connect the relatively developed eastern region with less developed central and western areas.

The belt is expected to provide new development stimuli for more than one fifth of the country's land and about 600 million people.