Xi: Innovation key to growth

President Xi Jinping visits a cultural exhibition of the Zhuang ethnic group on Tuesday at the Anthropology Museum of Guangxi in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Xi learned about local efforts in promoting ethnic solidarity and preserving ethnic culture. XIE HUANCHI/XINHUA

President urges greater promotion of country's high-quality development

President Xi Jinping has urged the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region to make greater efforts to support and encourage enterprises to produce innovations to contribute to the country's high-quality development.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remark during his three-day inspection tour in the region that concluded on Tuesday.

While visiting Guangxi Liugong Machinery Co in Liuzhou on Monday, Xi said that only innovation can help the equipment manufacturing industry become stronger and a front-runner.

He said that high-quality development is the route that the Chinese economy must take during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, and high-quality development of the equipment manufacturing industry is the top priority.

The manufacturing industry is indispensable for building a modern socialist country and for developing a strong real economy, Xi said, requesting efforts to promote the sector's improvement and upgrading.

He said that China must unwaveringly forge ahead on the path of independent innovation and make persistent efforts to achieve greater progress.

Later on Monday, he visited a food-processing zone for a local specialty, luosifen rice noodles.

Xi said that it is not an easy task to develop the small rice noodle business into a large industry, and China encourages the development of private businesses.

When they encounter difficulties, the Party and the State give them support, and when confusion arises, guidance is offered, he said, expressing his hope that private enterprises will develop boldly and with confidence.

During a meeting with local officials on Tuesday in Nanning, Guangxi's capital, Xi urged greater efforts to promote the aggregation of various innovation elements in enterprises to stimulate their innovation vitality and promote their commercialization of scientific and technological achievements.

Xi said the region should explore its comparative advantages in terms of fostering the new development paradigm and embarking on a path of high-quality development fit for its own situation.

Efforts should be made to promote the high-end, intelligent and environmentally friendly development of traditional industries, upgrade full-scale industrial chains and actively cultivate emerging industries, he said.

Since Guangxi has the largest population of China's ethnic minorities, Xi underlined the importance of ethnic solidarity during his inspection trip.

On Tuesday morning, he visited a cultural exhibition of the Zhuang ethnic group at an ethnography museum in Nanning.

Xi said Guangxi is a national demonstration area for ethnic unity and the region should continue to give play to its exemplary and leading role.

The life, strength and hope of the Chinese nation lie in ethnic solidarity and progress as well as prosperous development of all ethnic groups, he said, noting that no ethnic group should be left behind as the country is embarking on a journey to fully become a modern socialist country.

Xi said people of all ethnic groups should be united and make progress hand in hand to create a bright future for the Chinese nation and benefit from national rejuvenation.