Xi stresses pivotal role of infrastructure

They pointed out that the nation's existing infrastructure has yet to accommodate its development and security needs, and comprehensively boosting infrastructure construction is of great importance in fostering a dynamic domestic market and helping the domestic and international markets reinforce each other, the statement said.

While calling for the upgrading of traditional infrastructure facilities, the meeting's participants stressed the need to step up construction of "new infrastructure", including 5G networks, the industrial internet, intercity transportation and intracity rail systems, data centers, artificial intelligence, ultrahigh voltage infrastructure, and new energy vehicle charging stations.

They also called for a forward-looking approach to planning infrastructure projects that contributes to guiding industrial development and safeguarding national security.

Efforts should be made to improve transportation, energy and water conservancy infrastructure with an emphasis on strengthening them in order to improve the overall efficiency of these facilities, the meeting's participants said.

While highlighting the need to upgrade the nation's water transport network, the meeting's participants called for developing intelligent power grids, speeding up the improvement of oil and gas pipelines, and strengthening facilities that contribute to the upgrading of the information, logistics, and scientific and technological sectors.