BEIJING, Jan. 3 -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday presided over a State Council executive meeting focused on the study and promotion of urban renewal work.

Li was during the meeting briefed about efforts to ensure wage payments of migrant workers, while the meeting also deliberated and approved a draft regulation on the protection of both ancient and notable trees.

Urban renewal is crucial for enhancing the appearance and living quality of cities, and serves as an important lever for expanding domestic demand, the meeting determined, while also calling for efforts to build resilient and smart cities that are desirable to live in.

The renovation of old residential communities, blocks, factory areas and urban villages in cities should be accelerated, and renovation of urban infrastructure should be strengthened, the meeting resolved.

In addition, the meeting stressed the need to remediate urban ecosystems and preserve urban history and culture.

Efforts should be made to bolster the supply of resources such as funds and land, as well as attract more private capital to participate in urban renewal initiatives, the meeting stated.

The meeting also vowed support for innovative efforts in accordance with local conditions to promote high-quality urban development.

Ensuring the wage payments of migrant workers is a significant issue concerning people's well-being, according to the meeting.

It is important to earnestly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of migrant workers, the meeting stressed, while also highlighting the necessity of strengthening data connectivity among relevant departments, including human resources and social security, as well as finance.

The meeting emphasized the urgency to develop and revise management standards and supporting systems for the protection of relevant trees, while also cracking down on both the poisoning of ancient trees and illegal logging activities.