Photo: Xinhua News Agency

President Xi Jinping has urged East China's Fujian Province to play a pioneering role in the country's modernization drive by staying committed to its development goals.

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 the coastal province on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Fujian should continue to make greater progress in accelerating the development of a modern economic system, Xi said.

On Tuesday, Xi inspected Dongshan county in Zhangzhou, and visited Aojiao village in Dongshan county, the Gu Wenchang memorial hall and Guandi cultural industrial park. During the visits, Xi learned about local efforts to advance rural revitalization across the board, carry forward revolutionary traditions and strengthen the protection of cultural heritage.

While inspecting Aojiao village, Xi said China's countryside will surely have a brighter prospect and farmers will live a more prosperous life on the new journey in the new era.

At the village pier, Xi looked over dried seafood and the fishing catch, and learned about local efforts to advance rural revitalization.

Xi was here in 2001 when he worked in Fujian, and was delighted to see tremendous changes that had taken place in the village over the past 23 years.

To promote rural revitalization, it is necessary to capitalize on advantages and make good use of local marine resources, he said.

Aquaculture and fishing are the economic mainstays for development in Aojiao village. There are 128 aquaculture bases for abalone, shrimp, kelp, seaweed and other aquatic products, with an annual output value of 330 million yuan ($46.4 million) of marine fishing and about 370 million yuan in annual output value of marine aquaculture. 

Xi on Tuesday afternoon also visited the Gu Wenchang memorial hall in Dongshan county. Xi learned about the inspiring deeds of Gu, a former Party chief of Dongshan, hailing him as an exemplary representative of the countless outstanding leading officials of the CPC.

Xi urged officials to emulate his example in both personal conduct and governance, and work toward promoting local development during their time in office.

At the Guandi cultural industrial park, Xi learned about local efforts in strengthening the protection of cultural heritage and promoting cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Straits.

On Wednesday morning, Xi visited the Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone, urging local authorities to adapt to the evolving situation, steadily promote institutional opening up, and make new achievements in expanding high-level opening up.


Xinhua-Global Times