Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang Tuesday called for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to make greater efforts to boost economic development mode transformation.

Zhang made the remarks during his inspection tour of some SOEs in Beijing, including China Minmetals Corporation, China State Shipbuilding Corporation and the State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation Ltd. (SNPTC).

"SOEs are the backbone of the national economy and it is very important for them to maintain a stable and relatively fast growth momentum to ensure the continual and healthy development of the economy," Zhang said.

"With impacts of the global financial crisis still lingering, China's economic growth faces not only historic opportunities, but also risks and challenges," Zhang said.

More efforts should be made to expand overseas markets, improve management, boost scientific innovations and highlight production safety, Zhang also said during the inspection tour.