GUIYANG, May 26 -- China attaches great significance to big data and will roll out measures to encourage IT-related entrepreneurship and innovation, according to a message from the premier released Tuesday.

Premier Li Keqiangleft the message for the Big Data Expo, which opens on Tuesday in southwest China's Guizhou Province.

"Data is a basic resource and an important productive force. Big data, combined with cloud computing and the Internet of Things, is rapidly and deeply changing the ways of production and living," said Li in the message.

As the world's most populous country, China has accumulated an ocean of data from a huge amount of digital devices, said the premier, adding that this data could generate great value.

"China is mulling an action plan to boost big data-based innovation in search of better solutions to government decision-making, transport, medical care and education," said Li.

The Big Data Expo is the first of its kind worldwide.