Xi calls on Chongqing to write its chapter in Chinese modernization

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on southwest China's Chongqing Municipality to further deepen reform and opening-up across the board, and write its own chapter in advancing Chinese modernization.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during an inspection tour in Chongqing.

Chongqing should strive to promote high-quality development, and build itself into a key strategic fulcrum for the development of China's western region in the new era and a comprehensive hub for inland opening-up, Xi said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the municipality's efforts in accelerating the development of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in west China while visiting an international logistics hub park in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, April 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

While inspecting the Chongqing International Logistics Hub Park Monday afternoon, Xi said that the logistics sector makes up the arteries and veins of the real economy. He stressed that constructing the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor will help promote the high-level opening-up of China's western and inland regions.

Xi then visited a container station, where he highlighted the importance of logistics in driving the development of the western region.

After hearing a report on the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, Xi urged Chongqing to focus on sci-tech innovation and vigorously promote the high-quality development of the manufacturing sector.

Visiting an old residential community where renovation began in early 2022, Xi learned about the renovation and neighborhood services, and talked with residents dining in the community canteen, saying the renovation of aging communities should preserve historical memories and meanwhile solve problems that concern residents.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the municipality's efforts in carrying out urban renewal projects and ensuring and improving the people's wellbeing while visiting a community in Jiulongpo District in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, April 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

People's well-being is of utmost importance in Chinese modernization, and all the work of the CPC and the government is intended to ensure that people live happier lives, Xi said, urging Party committees and governments at all levels to invest more in improving people's livelihood to enhance their sense of fulfillment, happiness and security.

Inspecting a digital urban operations and governance center Tuesday morning, Xi stressed efforts to ensure scientific planning and development of big data platforms and network systems, and improved coordination to leverage digital technologies to empower and modernize urban governance.

He called for improved pre-planning, precise management and swift response in handling various incidents to ensure cities operate safely and in an orderly fashion.

On Wednesday morning, Xi listened to work briefing from the CPC municipal committee and the municipal government, and affirmed Chongqing's achievements on all fronts.

He urged Chongqing to strive to build a modernized industrial system with advanced manufacturing as its backbone, transform and upgrade key technologies in the manufacturing sector and promote large-scale equipment renewals.

Efforts should go toward accelerating the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, and toward fostering emerging and strategic industries with international competitiveness, 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 an exhibition of sci-tech innovation and industrial development achievements in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, April 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Xi also called on Chongqing to redouble its efforts to make breakthroughs in key technologies, promote the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, and develop new quality productive forces.

He stressed pushing forward the development of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle to become a key engine of the country's high-quality development and a new driver of growth.

The city should boost green development, and build a strong ecological shield in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, he said.

Efforts should be made to foster a batch of state-owned enterprises with strong core competitiveness, bolster the development of the private economy, and stimulate the vitality of business entities under various forms of ownership, Xi said.

Chongqing should integrate actively into the building of a unified national market, serve major national strategies, and play a bigger role in the interconnected development of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, he said.

He called on the city to align with high-standard international economic and trade rules to foster a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized.

This photo taken on April 23, 2024 shows a view in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

Chongqing should actively explore the modern governance of megacities, accelerating the pace of building a smart city, improving spiritual civilization, and strengthening disaster prevention, mitigation and response capacities.

On integrated urban-rural development, Xi said that work should be done to promote new urbanization and comprehensive rural revitalization, guarantee grain production, develop ecological agriculture, and see that no large-scale return to poverty occurs.

He stressed the importance of steadfastly upholding the Party's leadership and strengthening Party building.

Continuous efforts should be made to rectify pointless formalities to reduce burdens at the primary level, undertake Party discipline education, fight and punish corruption, and eradicate the breeding grounds for corruption, Xi said.

Cai Qi, a 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.