Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of deepening reforms to drive the nation's modernization during his recent inspection trip to the eastern economic powerhouse of Shandong Province.
Xi, who also serves as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called on Shandong to pursue reform-driven high-quality development and transform itself into \"a hub of high-level opening up.\"
Shandong, a key frontier of China's reform and opening up, stands as a major industrial base and grain producer with a population of 100 million. Last year, it ranked third in GDP among all provincial-level regions in China and is renowned as the birthplace of Confucius.
The president's trip, spanning from Wednesday to Friday, marks his first local inspection since the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau meeting on April 30. During the meeting, it was decided that the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee will be held in Beijing in July, primarily focusing on further deepening reforms and advancing Chinese modernization.
\"Strive for excellence in comprehensively deepening reform and advancing high-level opening up,\" Xi told local officials.
On Wednesday afternoon, Xi visited Rizhao Port, where he observed the operations of an automated container terminal. The port, developed following China's late 1970s reform and opening-up, has transformed into a modern facility, enhancing traditional industries and fostering new productive forces.
Later, Xi toured a coastal greenway in Rizhao to learn about local ecological restoration efforts. \"The goal of advancing Chinese modernization is to make people's lives better and better,\" Xi stated.
Reference(s):
President Xi calls for furthering reform in Shandong inspection
cgtn.com
