Xi calls for further energy modernization reform during Shandong inspection

JINAN, May 24 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed comprehensively deepening reforms to boost China's modernization during an inspection visit to eastern economic powerhouse China's Shandong.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, urged the coastal province to pursue high-quality, reform-oriented development and become “a hub of opening-up.” high level “. “.

Shandong, the frontier of China's reform and opening-up, is now an industrial base and a major grain producer. With a population of 100 million, the province ranked third in terms of GDP among all provincial regions in China last year. Shandong is also the birthplace of Confucius.

Xi's trip to Shandong, which runs from Wednesday to Friday, is the first local inspection he has made since the meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on April 30.

It was decided at the meeting that the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee would be held in Beijing in July, and the session would mainly consider issues related to China's overall deepening reform and modernization.

“Strive for excellence by comprehensively deepening reform and advancing high-level opening-up,” Xi told local officials during his tour.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits Rizhao Port to learn about local progress in promoting smart and green development of the port, expanding the The opening, in Rizhao, east China's Shandong Province, on May 22, 2024. Xi inspected Rizhao City, east China's Shandong Province on Wednesday afternoon. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

On Wednesday afternoon, Xi visited Rizhao Port for the first time, where he observed the automated operations of the container terminal.

The port, built after China launched reform and opening up in the late 1970s, has become a modern facility over the decades, gaining valuable experience in modernizing and transforming traditional industries to foster new ones. quality productive forces.

Later, Xi visited a coastal greenway in Rizhao to learn about local ecological restoration efforts.

“The goal of China's modernization is to continually improve people's lives,” Xi said.

On Friday morning, he attended a meeting in Jinan, the provincial capital, to hear reports on the work of the Party and provincial government authorities.

Xi stressed the need to fully unleash the potential of integrating the real economy with the digital economy and developing new quality productive forces based on local conditions.

It is imperative to continue the transition to a green and low-carbon development model, stimulate scientific and technological innovation in the green and environmental protection sectors and stimulate the development of these industries, as well as to build a world-class seaport cluster. to set the tone for the development of the modern maritime economy, he said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a coastal greenway to learn about local progress in strengthening ecological protection and coastal restoration, as well as improving the quality of people's lives, in Rizhao, east China's Shandong province, May 22, 2024. Xi inspected Rizhao city in the province on Wednesday afternoon from Shandong (eastern China). (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Xi said Shandong should actively work to build international logistics corridors, be innovative in promoting the coordination of free trade zones, and deeply integrate into the high-quality development of the initiative. “Belt and Road Initiative”, build competent platforms for important international exchanges and cooperation, and play an important role in facilitating the dual circulation of domestic and international markets.

He called for efforts to vigorously promote the development of modern agriculture, build the region into a higher-level “breadbasket” and expand avenues for common prosperity.

Xi stressed the need to facilitate dialogue and mutual understanding among civilizations and amplify the global reach and influence of Chinese culture through platforms such as the Confucius International Cultural Festival.

He also stressed the central role of upholding Party leadership and strengthening Party-building work in advancing China's modernization.

Senior officials, including Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour.

On Thursday morning, Xi met with senior officers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army troops stationed in Jinan.

(Web Editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)