Xi urges manufacturing upgrades

President, on tour of Henan, calls for enhancing growth

President Xi Jinping has underlined the importance of developing the real economy through bolstering manufacturing to enhance high-quality economic growth.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remark during a three-day inspection tour in Henan province that ended on Wednesday.

While visiting Zhengzhou Coal Mining Machinery Group Co, Xi learned of the company's efforts in reform, development and technological innovation. He urged the company to make additional effort to contribute its share to upgrading the nation's manufacturing sector.

Xi said that while China has the world's largest manufacturing industry, efforts are still needed in realizing industrial transformation and upgrading through technical and industrial innovation to move the nation's manufacturing up the industrial chain.

At a meeting attended by local government officials in Zhengzhou on Wednesday, he called on the province to expand its opening-up through actively engaging in construction of the Belt and Road.

A people-centered approach should be adopted in advancing urbanization in the province, Xi said, adding that solutions to the prominent problems arising from economic and social development should be found through reforms.

He underlined the importance of improving people's livelihoods, and urged local officials to take real actions to solve prominent problems that matter to the public.

Xi emphasized the importance of ecological conservation in economic development, and said the idea that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets must be upheld.

He urged local governments to consistently advance the upgrading of the industrial structure and energy use to address environmental problems.

During his inspection tour, Xi visited the Yellow River Museum and the Yellow River National Geopark in Zhengzhou, where he inspected the local government's work in ecological conservation of the Yellow River, China's second-longest and popularly known as the mother river of the Chinese nation.

He told local officials that efforts must be made to protect the environment of the Yellow River and keep improving the quality and stability of the ecological system of the river basins.

While inspecting poverty alleviation work at a village in Guangshan county, Xi talked with villagers and encouraged them to develop e-commerce and courier businesses in rural areas to expand into broader markets and increase their incomes.

He also stressed the development of Party organizations at the primary level, saying they should be well developed so that they can effectively implement the plans and policies of the CPC Central Committee.

During the inspection tour, Xi also met with senior military officers stationed in Henan.

Xinhua contributed to this story.