BEIJING, April 19 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday stressed better compilation and protection of local chronicles nationwide.

Local chronicles carry the long Chinese civilization and historical wisdom, and they help educate the people and provide experience for governance, Li said in a statement given at a meeting on Saturday.

Li thanked the staff working in the area for their efforts and encouraged them in their profession.

Local chronicles are documents recording the history of local places, which help provide a more accurate and comprehensive picture of Chinese history. They can also be used for the study of natural and social sciences.

Vice Premier Liu Yandong attended Saturday's meeting, calling on local authorities to increase the public's interest in the chronicles and see that they are widely read.