Xi waved to representatives of workers and staff members who were gathering outside the workshops. Xi stressed that the CPC Central Committee has implemented the innovation-driven development strategy, paying special attention to independent innovation and creating an environment for innovation, with a view to improving China's industrial level and strength, and promoting China's transformation from a major economy to a strong economic power and a manufacturer of quality. With economic globalization encountering adverse currents and protectionism, we must keep our door open for development. We must develop our economy in a down-to-earth manner, and at the same time remain open and inclusive so as to create a win-win cooperation model for all to benefit. We should actively build a new development pattern with domestic circulation as the mainstay and the domestic and international circulations to promote each other, Xi said.

We should adhere to self-reliance, putting the development of the country and the nation on the basis of our own strength and firmly grasping the initiative of development. We must follow a path of independent innovation to fully build China into a great modern socialist country and realize the Second Centenary Goal. We should promote self-reliance and self-improvement in science and technology, seizing every minute to make breakthroughs in "bottleneck" problems, and striving to have the core technologies in key areas and equipment manufacturing industry in our own hands. Young people, full of vigor and vitality, are the hope of enterprise development. Party committees and governments at all levels should create an environment for fully stimulating young people's creativity, encouraging them to be brave in innovation and scale new heights in various fields and make greater contributions to the revitalization of Northeast China in the new era, Xi added.

Xi then went to Mudan community at Santaizi subdistrict of Huanggu district. Built in the 1980s, it has become a demonstration community with more than 3,000 households for grassroots governance after infrastructure renovation and service improvement in recent years. Xi walked into the community service center, activity center and elderly service center. From community workers, teachers and students of a happiness education class and elderly volunteers, he learned about local situations of Party building, living environment and services for residents. At a canteen for the elderly, Xi asked those having their meals there whether the food is expensive or not, whether the community service is good or not, and what difficulties they still have.

Xi walked into resident Li Shui's apartment and was shown around the kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, etc. He then sat down in the living room and had a cordial conversation with the family. They told Xi that, thanks to the renovation of old residential communities, it was much warmer inside their homes in winter and roads were not water-logging any more. They said that they were happy with improved living environment. Now they don't have to worry about children's education or basic medical care for the elderly, and the friendly neighborhood is just like a big family. Learning that they are living a happy and hopeful life, Xi was very much gratified.

Bidding farewell to the residents, Xi stressed that the dream of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and the dream of building a strong country as well as the Chinese Dream are all meant in nature to realize the people's dream of happiness. The ultimate goal of the CPC's endeavors is to seek happiness for the people. He pointed out that as a major aspect of the action plan for urban renewal, renovation of old residential communities is an important work that enhances people's sense of gain. The principle is to serve the people and make their life convenient and safe. More efforts should be made to further improve the living environment and upgrade facilities concerning the supply of water, electricity and gas, so as to better meet residents' daily needs and ensure their safety. Community services should also be boosted and the service provision functions of communities should be strengthened. The elderly and children spend more time in communities and their well-being is a major concern for most families, noted Xi. As China is stepping into an aging society, Xi emphasized the importance of developing old-age programs and relevant industries, and strengthening the construction of elderly care facilities in areas with adequate conditions.

The healthy growth of children has a bearing on the future of the country and the Chinese nation and on the well-being of millions of families, he said. Communities should carry out more off-campus activities for public welfare to ensure children's physical and mental health. He stressed that Party organizations at the community level should be strengthened and community-level work be enhanced. More resources should be allocated to communities so that the people feel the CPC serves the people wholeheartedly and is always with the people. Xi wished a better life for all in the revitalization drive of Northeast China in the new era.

Ding Xuexiang, Liu He, Chen Xi, He Lifeng and other leading officials of the central Party and government departments accompanied Xi during the inspection tour.

On the morning of August 17, Xi met with officers at or above senior colonel level and chief officers of regiment units in Shenyang. He extended sincere greetings to all officers and soldiers of Shenyang-based troops on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, and had a photo taken with them. Zhang Youxia accompanied Xi during the meeting.