HARBIN -- Vice-Premier Zhang Dejiang has called for more efforts to increase technological upgrading to improve industrial quality and enterprises' competitiveness.

Zhang made the remarks at a recent meeting in Harbin, capital of the Northeast Heilongjiang province, which focuses on technological upgrading.

The coming five years through 2015 is a crucial period for China to transform its mode of economic development and promote industrial upgrading, he said.

Enterprises should increase investment to accelerate technological renovation in traditional industries and develop new industries in the next five years to improve their competitiveness both at home and abroad, he said.