Premier Li Keqiang has lauded the younger generation's spirit of entrepreneurialism and self-motivation, according to a post on the central government's website.

The premier made the remarks in a written reply to students at Tsinghua University for Youth Day on May 4.

Li called on the students to nurture their pioneering spirit and to dare to break down routine to facilitate innovative and entrepreneurial progress.

Chuangke ("makers" in English) are hands-on technology enthusiasts who use 3D printers, robotics, and other advanced tools to create products. The word differs from the term "inventor" as it carries more of an entrepreneurial spirit. These makers are monetizing their products.

In a letter to the premier last week, students from Tsinghua's i.Center, told the premier about the latest developments at their center and expressed their determination to ride the tide of "mass entrepreneurship and innovation."

The i.Center was established in 2013 to give chuangke access to resources from around the world, including design models and open-source software.

Chuangke, and their role in driving growth, were included in the government's work report delivered in March by Li, who described the group's emergence as "coming thick and fast."

In response, the government will issue more policies that break down barriers and create a fertile environment for makers to flourish, Li said in his letter.

Delivering the government work report, Li said the government would continue to encourage mass entrepreneurship and innovation.

Growth of the world's second largest economy declined to 7 percent in the first quarter, the weakest performance since the global financial crisis, when growth fell to 6.1 percent in the first quarter of 2009.

The government is grasping for new growth potential in emerging sectors such as the Internet and smart manufacturing, fields where chuangke are most active.

In the first quarter of this year, the number of newly founded firms in China had surged by nearly 40 percent compared to a year ago, to around 844,000, with most of them in emerging sectors, thanks to easy market access for start-ups encouraged by the government.

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