Xi stresses innovation in revitalizing old industrial bases

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently stressed innovation-powered development in the revitalization of old industrial bases in northeast China and other regions. Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, took an inspection tour to northeast China's Liaoning Province from August 28 to August 31. During the tour, Xi underlined the importance of enhancing the core competitiveness of the industrial sector in an effort to inject new vigor into old industrial bases. At a shipbuilding company, Xi said China should explore ocean resources and make development of the marine economy a new growth engine of the country. At a high-tech industrial park, Xi urged deeper integration of information technology and industrialization. At a company specializing in producing computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools, Xi said China should attach more importance to the high-end equipment manufacturing sector. After visiting a number of companies in Liaoning, Xi said reform and innovation are important, urging companies to grasp opportunities brought by a new round of global technological revolution. Xi talked with some laid-off workers and retired workers in Liaoning, and learned about their needs. Xi said the government will do its best to provide assistance to them. Xi also ordered local cadres to continue to improve work style, be frugal and discipline themselves during the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holiday.